Bandit’s Interprovincial bid
Hold-ups come with the territory for bandits but Otaki trainer Peter Mckenzie had a couple he could have done without with his galloper named Our Bandit..
Our Bandit was on a Winter Cup mission to Riccarton until two successive meetings were abandoned due to winter’s big wet that hit the country.
Five wins and a third from six successive runs had the son of little known sire Bushranger early favourite for the $100,000 race before the washout of Mckenzie’s plans.
‘‘Our plans went amiss,’’ Mckenzie said.
‘‘’He didn’t get the chance to race for about six weeks and then his last run wasn’t good enough to warrant a trip to Riccarton.’’
Our Bandit is unique as he is the only New Zealand winner for his sire a European Group I-winner.
‘‘He shuttled from Ireland to Australia,’’ Mckenzie said.
‘‘The poor fella didn’t measure up [as a sire] and he was sent to Coventry.’’
Our Bandit is one of just two horses Mckenzie is currently working but he’s kept busy as he also operates Strathcarron Stud, home to the High Chaparral stallion Fabulous. ‘‘He’s got rising two-year-olds so they are the next part of my dream,’’ he said.
After the hold-ups, plans for Our Bandit were revised to take in the time-honoured $50,000 Interprovincial Challenge to be run for the 22nd time at New Plymouth on Saturday.
Our Bandit represents his home province of Horowhenua in this year’s running over 1600m around Pukekura Raceway.
After his outstanding run of form followed by his enforced break, he had no luck in first run for six weeks when produced at Awapuni on July 31.
Tightened early in home straight then in restricted room and bumped near 100m he battled into sixth.
Top jockey Lisa Allpress, whose association with the horse coincided with his burst of success, reported her mount would improve with the Awapuni run.
‘‘Lisa likes him,’’ Mckenzie said. ‘‘And she’s happy to stick with him - she’s got confidence in him.’’
Mckenzie has his doubts about beating Saturday’s strong opposition.
‘‘This is a real test,’’ he said. ‘‘I couldn’t be confident against probably the best lot of horses he’s met.
‘‘He’s definitely above average my bloke, just how much above average I’m not sure.’’
Interprovincial betting opened with Our Bandit ($5) second favourite behind Wooden Edge ($4.20).
Wooden Edge is Waikato’s representative as was last year’s Interprovincial winner Pacorus, both trained by Chris Wood.
Wooden Edge won a special conditions maiden on last year’s card and apprentice Hairi Marzuki will be in the saddle this time despite there being no claims.
‘‘Hairi is riding well and deserves his chance,’’ said Wood who is happy after a slight setback forced the horse’s scratching last Saturday.
‘‘He galloped great on Tuesday morning and he’s spot on.’’
She’s Poppy ($7.50), Kitaya ($8.50), Stokers Rock ($9.50) and Meritaggio ($9.50) are also at single figure quotes.