Herculean mission for Tommy Tucker
TODAY’S group 3 White Robe Lodge Handicap at Wingatui looks like a case of Tommy against the world.
Trainers and race sponsors Brian and Shane Anderton line up Tommy Tucker who has plenty against him in today’s feature.
The local hero carries 5kg more than any of his rivals, but gives most of opponents a 7kg weight advantage.
That is not unusual for the highclass galloper, but making things even tougher for him is that he jumps from the wide draw of barrier 13.
Tommy Tucker faced similar circumstances in the weights in his laststart Timaru Cup win in December, but had the aid of barrier 1 on that occasion. Since then, he scored an easy jumpout win at Wingatui last month, to keep his fitness ticking over.
‘‘He has done well. We are happy enough with him but he has a wide barrier draw to contend with,’’ Shane Anderton said.
‘‘We are giving everything 5kg or more so [the draw] is going to add to the equation.’’
That aside, Anderton is confident the horse will again give a good account of himself.
‘‘He is happy enough himself, so he should be right there.’’
Anderton was not getting drawn into thinking this year’s race would be easier than last year. That is despite The Diamond One, winner of the past three White Robe races, being retired in April.
‘‘There are some good handy horses there, so you’ve still got to beat them, no matter what you’re up against.’’
Heading the charge of lighterweighted opponents is the Michael and Matthew Pitmantrained Son Of Maher.
The horse is no stranger to winning on Champions day — he won the Dunedin Guineas last year.
His progress since then led to him tackling the group 1 Thorndon Mile last weekend. He started from barrier 11 and ran 10th behind Thee Auld Floozie after being at least three wide for the entire race.
He has drawn barrier 11 again for today’s race, although in his favour is that he has shown no ill effects from his hard Trentham run.
Jockey Samantha Wynne will stick with Son Of Maher over one of her favourite gallopers in Miss Three Stars. Wynnne has won eight races on the Tommy Becketttrained mare, who will be ridden by Racha Cuneen.
Another lightweight chance is the Terri Raetrained Aspen Lass. The 4yrold has compiled a good record in only 11 starts. However, a 7kg weight difference in the Timaru Cup was still not enough to get past Tommy Tucker when they last met.
AAdditional information for meetings today.—
M2 Waikato RC