Verry Flash set to carry on

WELLINGTON: Trainer Nick Bishara is hoping the good times roll on again today when Verry Flash tackles the Interprovincial Challenge over 1600m at New Plymouth.

The Ardmore Lodge conditioner, who has just nine horses in work, is getting used to life in the winner’s circle largely thanks to the recent success of fourwin gelding Verry Flash and siblings Verry Elleegant and Black Lace, in addition to laststart winner Nulli Secundus.

‘‘Verry Flash is very well heading into Saturday,’’ Bishara said.

‘‘We’re a little bit concerned about the big pull in weights. With Roc de Bank and Waipipi Lad dropping out, he’s clear topweight and giving some nice horses four or five kilos.

‘‘There is a little question mark given he’s never travelled away for the night from home. I’m taking a mate with him, it’s part of the learning curve. We’re leaving on Friday afternoon from Auckland and we’ll be there before dark.

‘‘We’ve got a night to settle in and the morning to potter around and give him a pick of grass, but I’m very happy with him.4

The heavy 11 surface will not be a problem for Verry Flash, who has rapidly risen through the grades, winning four of his past five starts.

‘‘He does handle wet ground well. As I’ve stated in the past, he does go better on good tracks but I’ll think the rainaffected track will disadvantage some of the others,’’ Bishara said. — NZ Racing Desk

Additional information for meetings today.—

Pakuranga Hunt

Scratchings

Race 1: Locharburn, Ave maria.

Race 2: Nom du Beef, Jochen Rindt, Summer Warrior. Race 3: Elamo, Onrforthe ditch.

Race 4: No Change, Tommyra.

Race 6: Just name the price,

Race 7: Zardetto.

Race 9: Yorkshire Dales, Bluetwentytwo.

Weather, fine; track, heavy10; rail, out 5m.

Taranaki RI

Scratchings

Race 1: Our Jocko.

Race 4: Galaxy Miss.Race 8: Razors Edge. Weather, cloudy; track, heavy11; rail, out 5m.