Big names in doubt if rain hits Tauranga

A flurry of phone calls early this morning will have an enormous impact on what thoroughbred punters have to bet on at Tauranga today.

Because if the weather forecast is right some of the biggest names and favourites at the meeting could be scratched because of track conditions.

The heavy rain warnings for the weekend have already seen tomorrow’s Rotorua gallops cancelled while Gore must be in doubt.

There was also expected to be heavy rain in the Tauranga region overnight and that will see plenty of trainers reaching for their phones before the official scratching time of 7.30am.

“We are waiting on several of ours,” says champion trainer Mark Walker.

“Some horses will start because they will handle a wetter track or need the racing but others, who have other races they can target soon, wouldn’t start on a slow track.”

Two of those who could be withdrawn today are the exciting Puketiro (race 2) and 2000 Guineas contender What You Wish For (R3, No 1).

“Puketiro is a very progressive mare but I don’t want her racing fresh-up on a slow track so she will come out if the rain is as bad as forecast,” says Walker.

“What You Wish For wouldn’t start if it gets slow, he would head to Te Rapa next Friday instead.”

Walker says My Lips Are Sealed, who is in the same race as What You Wish For, will start regardless of track conditions, as will Belle Of The Ball in the open 1400m (race 4).

“Belle Of The Ball needs a run as she is being aimed at the Matamata Cup and she can handle soft ground.”

Walker says news this week that regular inter-island flights are set to return between Auckland and Christchurch in time for Cup week in Christchurch has greatly increased the chances his high-class three-year-olds Tokyo Tycoon and Quintessa will make the trip to Riccarton for their respective Guineas races.

One three-year-old who won’t be heading to Riccarton though is onetime NZ 1000 Guineas favourite Zourion, who flew to Melbourne on Tuesday.

She will join superstar stablemate Imperatriz in racing at The Valley next Friday night with a likely Group 1 aim being the 1000 Guineas.