Trish Dunell Photography
Ferrando’s connections are hoping their speedy galloper will get a clean break early in the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Ferrando was impressive when winning at Trentham last month, but had to settle for a close third behind Untamed Diamond and Speech Craft in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa recently.
“He was a bit unlucky. He slipped as the gates opened and that cost him jumping clear,” co-trainer Debbie Rogerson said. “It meant he had to be used a bit more to get to the front.”
A winner of five of his 12 starts, Ferrando will be ridden in the Bowl by Chris Johnson, who will also be aboard stablemate Francis Drake in the Gr.3 Ssangyong Counties Cup.
Francis Drake has won seven races and Johnson has been in the saddle in his two most recent wins, a double at Ruakaka and Te Rapa during the winter.
Freshened after finishing fifth in the Listed Taumarunui Gold Cup (2200m), Francis Drake has had three starts this campaign and will be stepping up to a more suitable 2100-metre distance on Saturday.
“He should run a good race,” Rogerson said. “He went a nice race last time (for seventh over 1600m).”