Natuzzi
Trish Dunell
Natuzzi isn't booked for a start in January's Gr.1 Sistema Railway (1200m), but a bold run at Ellerslie on Saturday might go some way to twisting his co-trainer's arm.
A top performance is expected in the Gr.3 J. A. Russell Ltd Concorde Handicap (1200m), after which the sprinter's prospects of a tilt at the New Year's Day feature will be assessed.
"We'll see how he goes on Saturday," said Paul Richards, who trains in partnership with Peter and Dawn Williams.
"He's an eight-year-old and the handicapper knows him well. It's got a bit difficult to place him.
"With age he's probably not as sharp as he was. He gets in all right at the weights for the Railway, but it depends more on the competition.
"If there's a couple of decent ones we might be better dodging them. We'll get a good line on him on Saturday and make a plan from there."
Natuzzi has placed four times at Group One level, including a third placing behind Saturday's Concorde rival Ryan Mark in last year's Railway.
He resumed with an eye-catching fourth placing behind Start Wondering and Ryan Mark in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa earlier this month.
"It was a good run. He got back and got held up a wee bit straightening up, but he got home well," Richards said.
"The race has brought him on a bit and we're happy with him. He'll be competitive on Saturday."
Vinnie Colgan rides Natuzzi, with Mark Du Plessis booked for stablemate Fire Jet, who finished fourth in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe last start.
"His run the other day was really good," Richards said. "He's got a great record. He's very consistent, but on hard tracks he can jar up a bit.
"He's nominated for the Railway too, but we'll just play it by ear with him." - NZ Racing Desk.
A top performance is expected in the Gr.3 J. A. Russell Ltd Concorde Handicap (1200m), after which the sprinter's prospects of a tilt at the New Year's Day feature will be assessed.
"We'll see how he goes on Saturday," said Paul Richards, who trains in partnership with Peter and Dawn Williams.
"He's an eight-year-old and the handicapper knows him well. It's got a bit difficult to place him.
"With age he's probably not as sharp as he was. He gets in all right at the weights for the Railway, but it depends more on the competition.
"If there's a couple of decent ones we might be better dodging them. We'll get a good line on him on Saturday and make a plan from there."
Natuzzi has placed four times at Group One level, including a third placing behind Saturday's Concorde rival Ryan Mark in last year's Railway.
He resumed with an eye-catching fourth placing behind Start Wondering and Ryan Mark in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint at Te Rapa earlier this month.
"It was a good run. He got back and got held up a wee bit straightening up, but he got home well," Richards said.
"The race has brought him on a bit and we're happy with him. He'll be competitive on Saturday."
Vinnie Colgan rides Natuzzi, with Mark Du Plessis booked for stablemate Fire Jet, who finished fourth in the Listed Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe last start.
"His run the other day was really good," Richards said. "He's got a great record. He's very consistent, but on hard tracks he can jar up a bit.
"He's nominated for the Railway too, but we'll just play it by ear with him." - NZ Racing Desk.