Hasselhoof
Trish Dunell
Holding off on committing to another runner in case Hasselhoof started has cost leading rider Matthew Cameron a mount in Saturday's Gr.1 Windsor Park Plate at Hastings but he's optimistic 'the Hoof' can make up for it on Sunday.
In a rarity for a New Zealand Group One race, Cameron will watch the weight-for-age Windsor Park Plate (1600m) from the sidelines, tipping Rasa Lila as the most likely to test his top selection Kawi.
But the two-time premiership winner will be out to ensure he has a leading mount for the third leg of the Hastings triple crown when Hasselhoof has his leadup run to the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 1 in Sunday's Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe.
"It was up in the air whether he was going to go to Hastings or not. There were thoughts of going there, just to go that way around again before the Livamol Classic, but he's staying closer to home and racing at Pukekohe now," Cameron said.
A winner of his first six starts culminating in victory in this year's Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie, the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained Hasselhoof was below his best when 11th of the 16 runners in last month's Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings, though Cameron found positives in his performance.
"The wide draw dictated where I rode him. The plan was to get back but he was floating around a bit first time that way [left-handed] around," Cameron said.
"I was trying to get on the back of Kawi and Valley Girl but she [Valley Girl] was hanging and didn't take us anywhere. But the fact he was hitting the line strongly the last bit was good and he was off and gone after the line.
"It's the easy option going to Counties, rather than travelling down to Hastings again. The trip took a bit out of him. We'll take the softer option and then go down to the 2000m race at Hastings on the last day."
Logan and Gibbs have resisted any gear changes for the Karaka Classic, though Cameron said the Tavistock gelding might need the addition of blinkers or side-winkers for his return to left-handed racing in the Livamol Classic.
"He looks great and he's freshened up nicely since Hastings. He's turned into a real stayer and he's looking for 2000m now. Hopefully he can step up with a strong 1600m on Sunday."
Cameron will still have a feature ride at Hastings, aboard the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Sassy 'N' Smart in the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes.
"She's trialled up well. We all know how good she is but she just didn't get the rub of the green in her last two runs last season," Cameron said.
"She got bumped out of contention in the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie and then didn't cop the wet track for the Manawatu Sires'. I chose her over Heroic Valour in those races so that's how highly I rate her." - NZ Racing Desk
In a rarity for a New Zealand Group One race, Cameron will watch the weight-for-age Windsor Park Plate (1600m) from the sidelines, tipping Rasa Lila as the most likely to test his top selection Kawi.
But the two-time premiership winner will be out to ensure he has a leading mount for the third leg of the Hastings triple crown when Hasselhoof has his leadup run to the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 1 in Sunday's Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe.
"It was up in the air whether he was going to go to Hastings or not. There were thoughts of going there, just to go that way around again before the Livamol Classic, but he's staying closer to home and racing at Pukekohe now," Cameron said.
A winner of his first six starts culminating in victory in this year's Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie, the Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs-trained Hasselhoof was below his best when 11th of the 16 runners in last month's Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings, though Cameron found positives in his performance.
"The wide draw dictated where I rode him. The plan was to get back but he was floating around a bit first time that way [left-handed] around," Cameron said.
"I was trying to get on the back of Kawi and Valley Girl but she [Valley Girl] was hanging and didn't take us anywhere. But the fact he was hitting the line strongly the last bit was good and he was off and gone after the line.
"It's the easy option going to Counties, rather than travelling down to Hastings again. The trip took a bit out of him. We'll take the softer option and then go down to the 2000m race at Hastings on the last day."
Logan and Gibbs have resisted any gear changes for the Karaka Classic, though Cameron said the Tavistock gelding might need the addition of blinkers or side-winkers for his return to left-handed racing in the Livamol Classic.
"He looks great and he's freshened up nicely since Hastings. He's turned into a real stayer and he's looking for 2000m now. Hopefully he can step up with a strong 1600m on Sunday."
Cameron will still have a feature ride at Hastings, aboard the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards-trained Sassy 'N' Smart in the Gr.3 Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes.
"She's trialled up well. We all know how good she is but she just didn't get the rub of the green in her last two runs last season," Cameron said.
"She got bumped out of contention in the Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie and then didn't cop the wet track for the Manawatu Sires'. I chose her over Heroic Valour in those races so that's how highly I rate her." - NZ Racing Desk