After a successful change in tactics with Full Force at Hastings, Hollie Wynyard is hoping a step-up in distance will be a further aid to his chances Wednesday’s Group 2 Hawke’s Bay Guineas (1400m) at Matamata.
The son of Cosmic Force showed plenty of class during his juvenile term, highlighted by a third placing in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m).
Returning as a three-year-old at Ruakaka, Full Force diminished his chances as second-favourite in the Group 3 Northland Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) when over-racing, persuading Wynyard to take the blinkers off, resulting in a strong third in the Listed El Roca – Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on the opening day at Hastings.
“He was really good, we wanted to try something a little bit different with him because he got a bit fired up with the blinkers on at Ruakaka,” Wynyard said.
“We took those off and tried to ride him a bit quieter to see if he would attack the line stronger ridden that way, and he really did.
“It was really encouraging going forward up to 1400.”
Holding a nomination for the Group 1 New Zealand 2000 Guineas (1600m) in November, Full Force is among a field of three-year-old’s putting their early staying prospects up for display in the feature.
“I think the key to getting these three-year-old’s up to a mile is getting them to relax early and he seems to do that pretty easily, he can happily sit in behind them,” she said.
“I’m quietly confident but stakes races are never easy and at this time of the year, there hasn’t been any horse to really put their hand up as the three-year-old to beat, so we’ll have a go.”
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