Talented Foxton galloper Orlov (NZ) (Sweynesse) will be aiming to hit double-digits in his win tally at Wanganui on Sunday, while his younger brother steps out on debut earlier in the meeting.
In the care of his co-breeder and part-owner David Haworth, Orlov has collected nine wins through his career and continued to improve with age, producing placings in this season’s Listed Wanganui Cup (2040m) and last time out in Listed Hawke’s Bay Cup (2200m).
Haworth was rapt with the latter performance, which made up for a luckless effort when eighth in the Gr.2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m).
“It was a very good effort, I was really happy with him,” Haworth said. “He tried really hard.
“It was just a shame in the Awapuni Gold Cup that he never saw daylight, so I couldn’t believe what he was paying for a place.”
A fortnight later, Orlov is returning to one of his favourite courses to contest a race he won 12 months ago, with the potential of pushing on to the Listed Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) next month.
“He’s working well and feeling well, he won this race last year from memory,” Haworth said.
“I’m not concerned about track conditions, he’d like concrete to about a Soft7 or 8. Earlier on he wouldn’t go on a softer track, but all of a sudden, he’s a bit more adaptable and seems to cop it now. He’s ticking along quite well the old fella.
“We’ll look at that race at New Plymouth again, but maybe if he pleases me enough on Sunday, the Rotorua Cup could be an option, we could take him up there and have a go.”
An earner of more than $228,000, Orlov has set a strong standard for Subsonic (NZ) (Sweynesse), his full-brother by Sweynesse out of a four-win mare Diamond Cut.
The three-year-old has made three appearances at the trials, and while pleasing his trainer, Subsonic will likely head to the paddock after the Chase A Fox Racing Syndicate MDN 1350.
“He’s been going well and worked nicely on Tuesday, he’s a big horse that needs time, so he’ll probably have this race then go straight out,” Haworth said. “He’s a bit weak but he’s quite talented, I think next year we’ll have a bit of fun with him.
“They (Orlov and Subsonic) are very, very similar, they’ve both got the same quirks. Subsonic’s got a bit more white on him and he’s a very lean, tall horse. “I think he’s going to be a pretty handy horse as well, we’ve had a lot of fun so far with Orlov and hopefully this horse can give us the same amount of pleasure.”