Cambridge trainer Chris Wood will head north to Ellerslie on Saturday with a trio of runners, headlined by his in-form gelding You Say D’Orsay, who will be aiming to secure an early easter treat in the Group 3 Easter Handicap (1600m).
The four-year-old son of Under The Louvre just went down by a head to Saturday race-rival Sacred Satono over 1300m at Ellerslie a fortnight ago, and Wood is hoping his charge can turn the tables on the Group One performer this weekend.
“He went a good race last time and just got beaten by Sacred Satono,” he said. “There wasn’t much in it and I see he (Sacred Satono) has got 60kg this week and we have got 53kg, which is similar to what it was last time.
“There will be a bit of rain around, which won’t worry us too much, and the horse has trained on well.
“This is his grand final this time around and he will go out for a break after this for six to eight weeks and then come back and we should have a nice, handy horse for the spring.”
Earlier on the card, Wood’s promising juvenile That’s Gold is also set to have his last start before a break in the Listed SkyCity Star Way Stakes (1200m), but Wood said if the wet weather persists, he may head to the paddock a little earlier.
“I like him, he just hasn’t had a lot of luck,” Wood said. “If it rains too much and it gets too wet, I will probably take him out and take his shoes off and give him six weeks out as well.
“If he goes, I have put blinkers on, and he has worked well with them on. He is nice and bright and he has come through his last run well.”
Wood’s trio of representatives will be rounded out by Noble Boy in the Trackside.co.nz 1600.
The five-year-old son of Redwood has placed in his last two outings, and he will have to overcome his wide barrier to score a similar result this weekend.
“He is well out in 18,” Wood said. “I don’t mind big fields, it gives the punters an option. He will probably go as long as it’s not bottomless, which I don’t think Ellerslie will be. He worked up well, has done everything right and he is a happy horse.”
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