Hatch wants iwatani to attack the line at Tamworth

IWATANI makes his return to racing today in a 1000m sprint at Tamworth and trainer Mark Hatch is expecting him to be one of the strongest to the line.

The six-year-old resumes from a four-month break without a public barrier trial or even a few private jump-outs.

Hatch said the horse is an experienced campaigner who knows what his job is when loaded into the gate and he will be coming out of barrier four with Josh Oliver on board looking for his third win at the track.

Hatch is happy with Iwatani heading into the race and just wants to see him finishing stronger than the rest.

“He’s a consistent little fella and will be making his run from the back half of the field, and I just want to see him attacking the line,” Hatch said.

“He has some feet issues and this time in hasn’t stayed as sound as I would have liked. But he is right now and we’re starting here.”

Iwatani is expected to be a lot better over 1200m as he gets into his preparation and Hatch fears a few rivals might be a touch too nippy in the early stages today but said his horse has nice form around the likes of In Good Time, Suncraze in the County Championships and he finished a close second to Mr Pumblechook at his last run over 1100m.

Hatch said if Iwatani was close enough on the turn, he could give it a shake.

“The 1000m might be a touch too short but I think he will run well,” he said.

“There are a couple in it like Niccobelle who go pretty quick.

“He ran a good race (behind In Good Time) in the 1000m sprint race at Tamworth on cup day but they did run him off his feet a bit and he had to chase the whole way.

“We’re hoping he can come over the top of them but it’s just a matter of him keeping up early. He’s going well and whatever he does he will improve on.”

Hatch said Iwatani’s preparation would be decided from race to race.