Good run expected of Wekaforce
WELLINGTON: Showcasing filly Wekaforce enters the Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m) at Ashburton today in good form after finishing runnerup in her two starts this campaign, including the Canterbury Belle Stakes at Riccarton last month.
Her subsequent campaign was disrupted when races were abandoned at Riccarton on October 6, but trainer Tony Pike remains positive.
‘‘She’s really well. It was a bit unfortunate that she missed a run with the races being called off two Saturdays ago. We elected not to run her on the Tuesday, but she has trained on really well.
‘‘She ran second firstup against Melt, who is the benchmark 3yrold filly at this point in time, and her secondup run from the outside barrier was really good in the Canterbury Belle.
‘‘She drew 17 and the winner drew 1. It was really the barrier and doing a bit of work to get across from that gate that cost her the race.’’
Wekaforce has drawn the outside gate in the eighthorse field. ‘‘The small field is going to be a bit of a help, but she’ll go forward and if she can get a relatively soft trip then she is sure to be competitive in that field.’’
All going to plan, Wekaforce will remain in the South Island. Her main target is the group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) during the New Zealand Cup carnival.
‘‘This will be her last run,’’ Pike said.
‘‘If she performs well we will probably head straight to the 1000 Guineas.’’