Kelso cool on big race chances
Matamata trainers Bev and Ken Kelso are going into Saturday’s Counties meeting hopeful rather than confident with their two black-type contenders.
They will be represented in the Group II NRM Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1400m) by the in-form Cote D’OR and their chances in the Listed Haunui Farm Counties Bowl (1100m) will rest with Irish Moon.
With four straight wins on the board, Cote D’OR ($8) will have plenty of supporters, while Irish Moon ($9.50) has shown over the years he has the talent to win the Bowl.
Though pleased with their recent work, Ken Kelso is reserved over the prospects of both horses.
‘‘This is a lead-up to the Cal Isuzu for Cote D’OR and she’s dropping back to 1400 metres,’’ he said.
‘‘She had a pretty hard run when she won the Matamata Cup and had a bit of time off to get over it so she’ll improve with this run.’’
The Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman-trained trio of Francaletta ($3.50), Deals In Heels ($5) and Coldplay ($7) dominate the betting along with Untamed Diamond ($6.50).
One for odds might be the Shaune Ritchie-trained fresh-up specialist Let Her Rip ($18) who trialled attractively recently on her home track at Cambridge.
She had raced in Melbourne prior to that where she performed well in strong company from an unfavourable wide draw before returning home and running fourth behind Francaletta at Hawera.
She has fared badly again, and jockey Johnathan Riddell will have his work cut out from barrier 14 in the 14-horse field.
On the plus side, she goes her best raced when fresh and the long Pukekohe straight will suit her trademark powerful finish.
As for Irish Moon, Kelso is looking to a gear change to help him regain his best form after finishing sixth behind Untamed Diamond in the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint (1200m) at Te Rapa.
‘‘We’ve taken the hood [blinkers] off Irish Moon,’’ Kelso said.
‘‘Michael [Coleman] reckons he was going too hard for his own good with it on. Hopefully he will settle a bit better.’’
Cote D’OR was impressive when charging home to win the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m) six weeks ago and, though best suited over 1600m or further, the lengthy Pukekohe home straight could enable her to repeat that finishing burst over the shorter 1400m trip.
The Cote D’OR camp had originally planned to keep her at 1600m for her next start after the Matamata Cup and tackle the Carbine Club Stakes at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day with a possible view to either contesting Saturday’s Counties Cup (2100m) or having yet another 1600m start.
But having given her extra time to get over the Matamata Cup run, it was decided a better option was to drop her back to the 1400m on Saturday then target the Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa on December 16.
‘‘In hindsight it wouldn’t have suited her running at Ellerslie the way they were winning off the front,’’ Kelso said.
‘‘This is a better option and as long as she is finishing it off well I’ll be happy. It should top her off for the Cal Isuzu.’’
❚ Back to handicap conditions, Promise To Reign could be the one to keep an eye on in Saturday’s Counties Cup (2100m) at Pukekohe.
The well-bred Moira and Kieran Murdoch-trained mare went well when fourth at Hastings and wasn’t far away from winner Chance To Dance in the weight-forage OMF Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day.
The Manhattan Rain mare’s connections have been keen to get a firm track and a suitable distance for their quality mare and they will get their wish on Saturday.
Cameron Lammas will carry just 53kg on Promise To Reign ($6.50) while topweights Maygrove ($6.50) and Saint Emilion ($5.50) have 60kg to lump.
Central Districts visitors Five To Midnight ($5.50) and Alinko Prince ($8.50) have their supporters as does Zambezi Warrior ($6.50) in an even betting race.
Big bets have been placed on Autumn Wild a high-priced and beautifully-bred Snitzel filly making her debut in Saturday’s Listed Ashford Lodge Stakes (1100m) at Pukekohe for 2-year-olds.
Matamata’s Wexford Stables went to $750,000 to buy Autumn Wild at this year’s Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney.