Hokitika track worry for trainer
Pretty Good Excuse will have to overcome the worst of conditions on Wednesday if she is to successfully defend her Hokitika title.
Trainer Andrew Carston said he couldn’t be happier with the mare’s condition ahead of the West Coast Scrap & Steel Miss Scenicland Stakes, but one factor outside of his control has him concerned.
‘‘She’s as good as I can have her, but it’s going to be a very, very heavy track and that’s the only worry I have.
‘‘There’s got to be a bit of doubt – I’ve never seen the track like it is.
‘‘It’s gone way past a heavy 11 and it’s going to be very much the survival of the fittest.’’
Pretty Good Excuse comes into the race in fine form with two wins from her last three starts, including a most recent front-running victory in an open handicap at Riccarton.
‘‘She’s certainly going as good as ever and I couldn’t be happier with the horse,’’ Carston said.
‘‘The question is whether she can cop the track, but it’s a great stake so that’s why she’ll be going around.’’
While he has a question mark over Pretty Good Excuse, Carston believes her stablemate Jackfrost will be at home in the conditions when he steps out in the Rendel Foster Memorial Hokitika Businesses Cup, the other feature on the card.
‘‘He comes into the race well. I thought his run the other day on a Dead 5 track was good – the wetter the better for him,’’ Carston said.
Today’s forecast is for rain developing but not until evening.