Great draw for Chase Auckland
Chase Auckland has the perfect opportunity to claw back some of his lost ground in the battle to be New Zealand’s best 4-year-old.
The dominant 3-year-old of last season, Chase Auckland hasn’t raced here this term and has won only once in three starts in Sydney, finishing second when he was clearly outpointed by Ignatius in the Paleface Adios at Menangle on Saturday night.
While there was no doubt he was the best of his age last season, the emergence or return to form of the likes of Turn It Up, Spankem, Pat’s Delight and Ashley Locaz and his own lack of racing means Chase Auckland has fallen down the pecking order.
But after drawing barrier one for Saturday night’s A$200,000 Chariots of Fire at Menangle he gets his shot at claiming another group one, with the Australian TAB opening him the $2.80 second favourite.
While he led and was outstayed by Ignatius in the lead-up last Saturday, Chase Auckland still looks to be working his way back to peak fitness after 10 months on the sidelines.
From barrier one he will probably trail speedster Picard, who loves to lead and stay there and providing the gaps open he could end up being the horse to beat.
Not so lucky was stablemate and Auckland Cup placegetter Ashley Locaz, who will start from the outside of the front line which has seen him blow out to $12 after being third favourite pre-draw.
Natalie Rasmussen will drive Chase Auckland, Luke McCarthy on Ashley Locaz and co-trainer Mark Purdon will drive All U Need Is Faith, starting from barrier three.