Race Images Palmerston North
Timing was a key factor in the decision to back-up Wait A Sec in Sunday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings.
The seven-year-old, who is on target for next month’s Gr.3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup (3200m), was successful in the Egmont Cup (2100m) last weekend, his sixth win from his last eight appearances.
“The Livamol fits in well and then we won’t run him again before the Metropolitan on the first day at Riccarton and into the Cup,” said Grant Cullen, who trains the Postponed gelding with Guy Lowry.
“He came through Hawera well and you wouldn’t have known he’d had a race. He looks fantastic.
“He didn’t get any favours there and was four wide down the back and under 59kg he kept finding the line.
“We’re under no illusions though. It’s a very good field and it’s his first go at weight-for-age, but he’s a very fit and happy horse. The Feilding Cup was another option, but we didn’t want to risk a re-handicap.”
He will be ridden on Sunday by Jonathan Parkes, who has already won six times on the horse.
Wait A Sec’s rapid rise through the staying ranks this preparation has been attributed to a change to his training regime.
“We keep him away from the track and work him on our farm at Dannevirke,” Cullen said.
“He does a lot of dressage as well and it’s turned him around. I think he got bored of the stable life.” – NZ Racing Desk.