Gentil Tonton
Trish Dunell
Capable stayer Gentil Tonton can force his argument for a trip south with a strong performance at Rotorua on Saturday.
He is in the mix for the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup and a decent effort in the Listed Jakkalberry Classic will be required to keep him on target for Riccarton.
"We really need him to run well to continue on that path," said Andrew Scott, who trains the Irish-bred six-year-old with Lance O'Sullivan.
"He's benefitted from his two runs this preparation and while he's still on the way up, he is well enough to be competitive."
The winner of five races up to 2400 metres, Gentil Tonton finished runner-up in last season's Gr.3 Rotorua Cup before he was spelled.
He resumed with a fifth placing over a mile at Te Rapa and then ran eighth over ground at Hastings behind subsequent Group One performer Humidor.
"He's a good, solid stayer and the track won't trip him up so that won't be an excuse," Scott said. "He has to put in a performance to warrant going to Christchurch."
Meanwhile, the stable will have two runners at Ashburton on Saturday with Sweet Leader in the Listed Barneswood Farm Stakes and Cha Siu Bao in the JLD Rating 65.
"Darryn Weatherley went down with them and we were talking to him yesterday morning and he was pleased with the way they have settled in," Scott said.
Sweet Leader has won his last two starts and is currently a $6 chance in the Gr.1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas market while Cha Siu Bao is at $14.
Craig Grylls will guide the fortunes of both colts on Saturday. - NZ Racing Desk.
He is in the mix for the Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup and a decent effort in the Listed Jakkalberry Classic will be required to keep him on target for Riccarton.
"We really need him to run well to continue on that path," said Andrew Scott, who trains the Irish-bred six-year-old with Lance O'Sullivan.
"He's benefitted from his two runs this preparation and while he's still on the way up, he is well enough to be competitive."
The winner of five races up to 2400 metres, Gentil Tonton finished runner-up in last season's Gr.3 Rotorua Cup before he was spelled.
He resumed with a fifth placing over a mile at Te Rapa and then ran eighth over ground at Hastings behind subsequent Group One performer Humidor.
"He's a good, solid stayer and the track won't trip him up so that won't be an excuse," Scott said. "He has to put in a performance to warrant going to Christchurch."
Meanwhile, the stable will have two runners at Ashburton on Saturday with Sweet Leader in the Listed Barneswood Farm Stakes and Cha Siu Bao in the JLD Rating 65.
"Darryn Weatherley went down with them and we were talking to him yesterday morning and he was pleased with the way they have settled in," Scott said.
Sweet Leader has won his last two starts and is currently a $6 chance in the Gr.1 Sothys New Zealand 2000 Guineas market while Cha Siu Bao is at $14.
Craig Grylls will guide the fortunes of both colts on Saturday. - NZ Racing Desk.
