Big race rescheduled; stars confirmed to start
The big guns will almost certainly be back for the Group I Livamol Classic (2040m) which has been rescheduled.
The $250,000 weight-for-age race will be the high point of a reconstructed premier meeting at Hastings which will also include the Group III Red Badge Spring Sprint (1400m) on Sunday, October 22.
The Livamol and the Spring Sprint were among the five races lost when the premier meeting at Hastings was abandoned last Saturday due to a slippery surface.
New entries will be taken for the Livamol on Tuesday, October 17 and any additions will face the might of Te Akau pair Gingernuts and Chance To Dance trained by Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards, the first two favourites for Saturday’s abandoned race.
"We will be back," Autridge said. "That works in with our plans and will work out alright."
With a month or so between runs Autridge feels the trip to Hastings last weekend will benefit the pair.
"The trip down will do more good than harm with their runs a month apart and they are both bright and well."
Another favoured runner from that race, Volkstk’n’barrell will also be back at Hastings.
"With the Livamol being run in a fortnight’s time we’ll go there," said Donna Logan who trains the gelding with Chris Gibbs.
Thought had been given to taking him to Australia.
Close Up, a scratching due to a slight injury last weekend, has been confimed for the race by trainer Shelley Hale.
Hale’s thoughts turned to giving the horse a break when a bruised heel caused problems last week but Saturday’s abandoned meeting and rescheduling of the race has resurrected his campaign.
The problem flared up on Thursday and following her decision to scratch, Hale was able to allow more intensive veterinary treatment and Close Up is back working freely.
The extended break between runs isn’t a concern for Hale. ‘‘The way he’s improved he’ll be ready to go whenever they decide to run the race,’’ Hale said.
‘‘We have jump-outs on Friday and he might go around in them.’’
Hale has had an amazing run with Close Up this campaign as the son of Shinko King has exceeded all expectations in taking his record to 10 wins and nine placings from 30 starts with stake earnings almost reaching $350,000.
The upside for the industry is that the new Hastings meeting will be part of a bumper Labour weekend for punters.
The Labour weekend Saturday will feature the Group III Sweynesse Stakes and Listed Jakkalberry Classic at Rotorua, the Group III John Grigg Stakes at Ashburton and the Caulfield Cup meeting in Melbourne, while the Group II Sarten Memorial will headline the Labour Monday meeting at Te Rapa.
The Hastings meeting will be run by Hawke’s Bay Racing and replaces the meeting originally scheduled for Otaki on the same day.
An inspection of the Otaki track on Monday found that it was unlikely to be fit for racing at Labour Weekend.
The Hastings programme will be similar to that originally scheduled for Otaki, apart from the addition of the Livamol. The $70,000 Red Badge Spring Sprint will replace the open 1200m and there will be stake increases for three other races. Fairfax NZ