Trish Dunell Photography
Te Akau Racing are hoping the application of blinkers for the first time will work the oracle with former European stayer Chance To Dance who takes his place in the Gr. 3 OMF Stakes at Ellerslie on Tuesday.
The seven-year-old disappointed when well-favoured in the Gr. 1 Livamol Classic at Hastings last month but co-trainer Jamie Richards believes luck was against him that day.
“He never really fired in the Livamol but in saying that he didn’t really get a lot of luck in running,” explained Richards.
“He’s been going well back at home after that and worked nicely on Saturday.
“We just think the addition of the blinkers will sharpen him up a little and he will be able to take a forward position from his handy barrier draw.
“It looks as though there will be some nice speed in the race so if he can take a position and get a little luck then we expect to him feature prominently in the finish.
“He certainly has the class to be right amongst it and if he can run up to expectations we can press on to races like the Zabeel Classic later in the summer.”
Richard’s training partner Stephen Autridge is in Melbourne with stable star Gingernuts and reported on Sunday morning the Iffraaj four-year-old has settled in well to his new surroundings as he prepares for the Gr. 1 Emirates Stakes this Saturday.
“We went to the beach this morning which he enjoyed and he seems to have relaxed nicely into his new routine,” he said.
“He took a little time to settle when he first got here but he is good now and we’re pleased with him.
“Obviously he has a tough task ahead of him, but we expect a bold effort.”
With the withdrawal of Winx from the race, Te Akau have secured the services of leading rider Hugh Bowman for the ride on Gingernuts. – NZ Racing Desk.