Vespa
Race Images PNth
Vespa is set to scoot in Saturday's Gr.1 NRM Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa.
The Elusive City four-year-old entire is one of seven Group One winners in the field for the Waikato Racing Club sprint feature and goes into the weight-for-age event in superb order, according to Otaki trainer Johno Benner.
Of the seven runners in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham sent out at $11 or less, fifth-placed Vespa was the only one to finish in the first 10, a fact Benner has taken much encouragement from.
"We were absolutely rapt with his first-up run," said Benner, who trains in partnership with Holly Wynyard.
"He'd had a long time off and the track came up a bit tricky with the rain but of the big guns, he's gone the best. He really attacked the line. The plan was always to start off in the Telegraph and then go on to Waikato and he's trained on really well."
TAB bookmakers have installed Vespa as a $10 equal fourth favourite in a market headed by Gr.1 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant at $2.70.
"We're expecting a strong tempo and while he's drawn out a bit [in barrier 11], we're hopeful he can slot in one-off better than midfield and from there be attacking the line again," Benner said.
"We think he's a genuine Group One horse and we are heading to Te Rapa hoping we can get there and get the job done."
Safely through Saturday's race, Benner and Wynyard will consider Vespa for the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on February 27 before assessing options in Australia.
Vespa won the Karaka Million and Gr.1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie as a two-year-old and won the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas before splitting Group One winners Pondarosa Miss and Kawi when second in last year's Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie.
Meanwhile, Benner and Wynyard will also aim to get a green light for their New Zealand Derby plans for Humidor when he tackles the Bupa Care Services 2100 at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Sensationally backed from $21 to $7.50 for last Saturday's Gr.2 Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa, Humidor was scratched on the morning of the race after he knocked a leg.
"It just puffed up overnight and we had to do the right thing by the horse," Benner said.
"He got home and has worked fine. Actually he's worked very well this week. To get into the Derby we need to get his stakes earnings up so we'll go to Te Rapa and run for $30,000 to give him his chance." - NZ Racing Desk
The Elusive City four-year-old entire is one of seven Group One winners in the field for the Waikato Racing Club sprint feature and goes into the weight-for-age event in superb order, according to Otaki trainer Johno Benner.
Of the seven runners in the Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) at Trentham sent out at $11 or less, fifth-placed Vespa was the only one to finish in the first 10, a fact Benner has taken much encouragement from.
"We were absolutely rapt with his first-up run," said Benner, who trains in partnership with Holly Wynyard.
"He'd had a long time off and the track came up a bit tricky with the rain but of the big guns, he's gone the best. He really attacked the line. The plan was always to start off in the Telegraph and then go on to Waikato and he's trained on really well."
TAB bookmakers have installed Vespa as a $10 equal fourth favourite in a market headed by Gr.1 2000 Guineas winner Xtravagant at $2.70.
"We're expecting a strong tempo and while he's drawn out a bit [in barrier 11], we're hopeful he can slot in one-off better than midfield and from there be attacking the line again," Benner said.
"We think he's a genuine Group One horse and we are heading to Te Rapa hoping we can get there and get the job done."
Safely through Saturday's race, Benner and Wynyard will consider Vespa for the Gr.1 Haunui Farm WFA Classic (1600m) at Otaki on February 27 before assessing options in Australia.
Vespa won the Karaka Million and Gr.1 Diamond Stakes at Ellerslie as a two-year-old and won the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas before splitting Group One winners Pondarosa Miss and Kawi when second in last year's Gr.1 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie.
Meanwhile, Benner and Wynyard will also aim to get a green light for their New Zealand Derby plans for Humidor when he tackles the Bupa Care Services 2100 at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Sensationally backed from $21 to $7.50 for last Saturday's Gr.2 Waikato Guineas at Te Rapa, Humidor was scratched on the morning of the race after he knocked a leg.
"It just puffed up overnight and we had to do the right thing by the horse," Benner said.
"He got home and has worked fine. Actually he's worked very well this week. To get into the Derby we need to get his stakes earnings up so we'll go to Te Rapa and run for $30,000 to give him his chance." - NZ Racing Desk