Double in prospect
WELLINGTON: Whanganui trainer Raymond Connors will bid to defend two feature race crowns when he starts horses at Te Rapa and Awapuni tomorrow.
Connors will seek backtoback wins in the Waikato Steeplechase at Te Rapa with Max, while She’s Poppy will seek a successive Rangitikei Gold Cup at Awapuni.
‘‘Hopefully he can do it again,’’ Connors said of Max, a Gallant Guru 9yrold.
‘‘He’s had a bit longer break over summer so hopefully he’s fit enough. I think he is.’’
Max ran fourth in a restricted open steeplechase at Whanganui earlier this month.
He is reunited tomorrow with jockey Isaac Lupton, who will seek his third win in the race after Myths And Legends in 2012 and Max last year.
Connors is setting Max for the McGregor Grant Steeplechase at Ellerslie on June 3. His winter plan could also include the Great Northern Steeplechase at Ellerslie in September.
Rain this week is good news for She’s Poppy who was unplaced on dead tracks in group races at Te Aroha and Te Rapa in her last two starts.
‘‘She needs rain and our concern was that the track might be too good for her again but the rain this week should have helped,’’ Connors said.
The Awapuni track was rated a slow9 yesterday.
‘‘I’d like to see her running on well to see if she’s back [in form]. We were probably dreaming a bit with those first two races and the tracks were too good. But she’s working well and we’d like to think she can run an improved race.’’
She’s Poppy would contest the Challenge Stakes at Whanganui on June 1 if she came through tomorrow’s race satisfactorily, Connors said. — NZ Racing Desk