Local trainer Shankar Muniandy is vying to score back-to-back victories in Saturday’s Listed Property Brokers – Ray Kean Dunedin Guineas (1600m) but said manners will be key with this year’s contender.
Muniandy scored a career highlight when taking out last year’s edition of the race with Collect Your Cash (NZ) (Rageese) and he believes he has the right filly to defend the stable’s local Guineas crown in Loose Sally (NZ) (Turn Me Loose).
The promising daughter of Turn Me Loose was victorious on debut before running third to standout filly Pivotal Ten in the Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Wingatui on Boxing Day but threw her toys out of the cot when refusing to enter the starting gate in the Listed Southland Guineas (1400m) at Ascot Park a fortnight ago.
Muniandy believes he has got on top of that issue and has been pleased with her work leading up to her weekend test.
“It would be good to win again, and we have got the right horse to do it,” he said. “It was a bit disappointing when she didn’t want to go into the starting gate, but we fixed that. We have put a blindfold on and been jumping out down the back straight, and she seems quite happy to do that.
“She is still green, and she is still learning. She will just get back and take her time and come from the half mile on, she knows when the business time is.”
Loose Sally has drawn barrier nine with apprentice jockey Ruvanesh Muniandy aboard, and Muniandy said that will be ideal for his filly.
“The wider the barrier, the better for her because she is a big filly that needs a lot of room to gallop,” he said. “She will get back anyway and will do her best work late coming over the top of them.”
Further stakes assignments await Loose Sally after Saturday, with Muniandy eyeing a trip to Riccarton in April.
“I would really love to go to the Warstep (Listed, 2000m) with her and that will be it for her this prep,” he said.
Muniandy is looking forward to the Property Brokers Otago Classics Day, which is shaping to be the biggest racing event in the region for some time.
“I am really looking forward to it. We have got four runners, and I am very happy with them, they have come a long way,” he said.
Last-start winner Perfect California (NZ) (Preferment) is part of that quartet and will be looking to double up when she contests the Convert IT/Harbour Hawks Rugby Club (1600m).
“She broke through for her maiden pretty nicely and took plenty of confidence out of the trip to Christchurch,” Muniandy said.
“She needs a bigger track to suit her. She doesn’t have early speed and is definitely a 2000m horse, but you have got to start somewhere.”
Muniandy will also be represented by stable newcomer Sabots D’or and Unusual Affair (NZ) (Unusual Suspect) in the Gallagher Insurance (1200m).
“Sabots D’or is a new horse in the stable. She had a couple of weeks off when she arrived from up north and she is looking good,” Muniandy said. “We are going to start her off at 1200m and see where we are at. Hopefully she can go a cheeky race first-up.
“1200m is a bit short for Unusual Affair, but she has got to start somewhere.”
