Latta has major role in Foxbridge feature

Lisa Latta has mixed feelings around the expected track conditions at Te Rapa on Saturday for the Foxbridge Plate.

Latta has three horses entered in the $100,000 Group II sprint over 1200m where they clash with classy contenders Kawi, Perfect Fit and company.

Forecast rain has the Awapuni trainer excited about the prospects of her 10-race winner North And South ($31) while conditions may play against her other runners Authentic Paddy and Mighty Solomon.

‘‘Rain on the day will play right into North And South’s favour,’’ Latta said.

‘‘On a loose, heavy track she’s right up to figuring in the finish of this race.

‘‘She’s been up all winter and is race fit for this which will also be in her favour.’’

Rated a Heavy10 on an overcast Friday after 7mm of rain in the previous 24 hours, Metservice is predicting more rain at Te Rapa on race day.

That won’t be so good for Latta’s recent impressive trial winner Authentic Paddy who, like several in the race, is fresh-up in a new campaign.

Although successful in his Waverley trial on an extremely heavy track and the winner of five in similar conditions, Latta doesn’t think the 8-year-old will appreciate more rain.

‘‘As he’s got older he doesn’t handle wet ground as good as when he was younger,’’ she said.

‘‘But over 1200m I think he’ll manage okay and having Opie [Bosson] on board will help.’’

Bosson has been absent from the riding ranks for some time as he freshened up with an overseas holiday and is easing back into action with just one ride on Saturday’s card.

In the weight-for-age contest Authentic Paddy ($18) carries 58.5kg.

If considerable rain arrives at Te Rapa before the 3.05pm race time causing a track downgrade, Latta would think seriously about withdrawing Mighty Solomon ($41). ‘‘He probably needs it to stay in the slow range,’’ she said.

‘‘He needs the run for Hastings [Tarzino Trophy , Septenber 2] but if it gets too wet I’ll need to assess things.’’

His stablemates also hold Tarzino nominations as do the majority of the Foxbridge field including Saturday’s early favourite Kawi ($4.50).

Kawi a six-time Group I winner, will chase a hat-trick of Tarzino wins and has been given two easy trials by trainer Allan Sharrock to prepare for the Foxbridge.

But the rain doesn’t inspire confidence that he can justify his favouritism with his experienced trainer believing the star galloper will be vulnerable on a heavy track. Second favourite Perfect Fit ($5) is likely to be in the same boat but punters are keen to get on Underthemoonlight ($9.50) who was the big mover in the market on Friday on the back of the weather forecast.

Southern Icon ($9.50) and No More Tears ($9.50) are two who will find conditions to their liking while Coldplay ($9) is the other at single figure odds.

An interesting contestant is Packing Eagle ($18) who makes his New Zealand debut having established himself among Hong Kong’s elite gallopers.

That was before he was retired from racing there after just 19 starts that yielded six wins.