Wet weather complicates puzzle for punters

CHRISTCHURCH: Top trainer Lisa Latta has issued punters with a warning over the great misnomer in today’s $500,000 New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

Punters and bookies have been sent scurrying for their form guides looking for wetweather form after downpours in Canterbury resulted in the Riccarton Park track being rated a slow9 last night. While the rain had stopped, the prospect of a cool day means little likelihood of much improvement.

Latta is one of the few trainers with a serious chance as her charge, Sir Nate, has winning form on a heavy track.

But the Central Districts trainer has a word of caution.

‘‘He won that race as a 2yrold on a heavy track against just two rivals but he never really handled it. He just got there on ability. And the last time he raced on a wet track at Wellington [at his last start], even though he won on a dead6 [soft track], Johnathan [Parkes, jockey] said he didn’t really handle it either.

‘‘So while his form in the wet might look good, I’m worried, to be honest.’’

Sir Nate has the ace draw, which initially looked a blessing but could be a handicap by the time the 3yrolds jump from the 1600m start point today.

Perhaps her only solace is most of her rival trainers feel the same way.

The wet track will make punting tricky all day and could raise some real discrepancies between firstday form and what unfolds on Wednesday and then next Saturday. — NZME