Wiggle
Race Images Palmerston North
Awapuni trainer Trina Riddell will be keeping a keen eye on the weather ahead of the weekend's racing as she ponders whether six-year-old gelding Wiggle will be seen at Trentham on Saturday or at Awapuni on Monday.
A last start winner over the course and distance, Wiggle is entered for Saturday's Rating 85 Benchmark Advanced Gaming Handicap (1600m) at Trentham, but Riddell's preference is to tackle Listed company on Monday should the rain stay away.
"I'd rather run in the ANZAC Day Mile on Monday," Riddell said. "I'd love to give him a go in that company. I looked at the forecast and it said rain for Trentham and Awapuni but I thought we'd leave our options open and wait until closer to the time before making the call where to start."
Riddell has booked three-kilo claimer Emily Farr for the ride on Saturday, with the rider recently making the transition from riding over the jumps to a career on the flat.
"I've watched Emily ride over jumps and she's pretty talented and she's quite an aggressive rider that I thought would suit him. Her claim will help as he's not a big horse.
"Jonathan (Husband, Jonathan Riddell) did something similar a few years back and he's done alright," quipped Riddell.
"Dylan Mo rode him well last start but because I was dilly-dallying as to where I was going, Dylan had already taken another ride at Trentham."
Wiggle has pleased Riddell since his closing last-start win and the six-year-old is feeling no ill-effects as he heads into his ninth start this campaign.
"He went straight out in the paddock when he got home and took off bucking around, so it didn't take too much out of him. He's had quite a few trips out to Kamada Park.
"He likes being in work but I like to send them out and freshen them up – I think it helps keep them going a bit longer.
Riddell believes the key to Wiggle is riding him 'ugly'.
"He's a quirky, quirky horse. He's better coming between horses. If you try to ride a pretty race on him and have him one out and one back, he probably wouldn't go any good."
Although Wiggle could be seen in stakes company this long weekend, a jumping career is also waiting in the wings.
"He's got half his jumping ticket and Jonathan has been working on him for the past couple of years, so he will likely go jumping at some stage," Riddell said. – NZ Racing Desk
A last start winner over the course and distance, Wiggle is entered for Saturday's Rating 85 Benchmark Advanced Gaming Handicap (1600m) at Trentham, but Riddell's preference is to tackle Listed company on Monday should the rain stay away.
"I'd rather run in the ANZAC Day Mile on Monday," Riddell said. "I'd love to give him a go in that company. I looked at the forecast and it said rain for Trentham and Awapuni but I thought we'd leave our options open and wait until closer to the time before making the call where to start."
Riddell has booked three-kilo claimer Emily Farr for the ride on Saturday, with the rider recently making the transition from riding over the jumps to a career on the flat.
"I've watched Emily ride over jumps and she's pretty talented and she's quite an aggressive rider that I thought would suit him. Her claim will help as he's not a big horse.
"Jonathan (Husband, Jonathan Riddell) did something similar a few years back and he's done alright," quipped Riddell.
"Dylan Mo rode him well last start but because I was dilly-dallying as to where I was going, Dylan had already taken another ride at Trentham."
Wiggle has pleased Riddell since his closing last-start win and the six-year-old is feeling no ill-effects as he heads into his ninth start this campaign.
"He went straight out in the paddock when he got home and took off bucking around, so it didn't take too much out of him. He's had quite a few trips out to Kamada Park.
"He likes being in work but I like to send them out and freshen them up – I think it helps keep them going a bit longer.
Riddell believes the key to Wiggle is riding him 'ugly'.
"He's a quirky, quirky horse. He's better coming between horses. If you try to ride a pretty race on him and have him one out and one back, he probably wouldn't go any good."
Although Wiggle could be seen in stakes company this long weekend, a jumping career is also waiting in the wings.
"He's got half his jumping ticket and Jonathan has been working on him for the past couple of years, so he will likely go jumping at some stage," Riddell said. – NZ Racing Desk