A year after his triumph in the Group 3 Manawatu Classic (2100m), classy four-year-old Arby will chase another feature on Manawatu’s feature day, the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m).
A son of Proisir, Arby has established a consistent record while often in the best of company this season, with top-five finishes in the Group 2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m), Elsdon Park Aotearoa Classic (1600m), and Listed Kaimai Stakes (2000m).
Matamata-based training partnership Darryn and Briar Weatherley were given a vote of confidence when the gelding flashed home to narrowly finish runner-up to The Mighty Spar in the South Waikato Cup (2000m) on March 13, and Darryn’s son Sam will retain the ride on Saturday.
“He’s trained on really well from his last run, we’re very happy with his work and the way he’s looking,” Darryn Weatherley said.
“His run at Matamata was really good, probably made look even better with the rail out as far as it was, and the 2000m there is quite short. He’s a horse that gets back, and he found the line really well against the pattern.”
Arby showed his powerful staying ability in the feature three-year-old event which was held at Awapuni, and Weatherley indicated the son of Proisir would relish the relocation to Trentham for this year’s meeting.
“We’re really looking forward to Saturday with the big, roomy track down at Trentham as well as the long straight,” he said.
“We’re crossing our fingers, but I’m sure he’ll run a race.”
The Weatherleys will also be represented by Dark Destroyer, a highly-talented galloper with the 2022 edition of the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) to his name, alongside a string of black-type performances on either side of the Tasman.
Another progeny of Proisir, Dark Destroyer joined the Weatherley stable this season, recording two fifth-placed efforts in the Group 3 Taranaki Cup (1800m) and Group 2 Japan Trophy (1600m) from his three race-day appearances.
Leading Central Districts jockey Lisa Allpress was aboard in his Tarzino triumph and will take the reins when the five-year-old jumps from barrier eight.
“He’s probably the class horse of the field on what he’s achieved so far in his career,” Weatherley said.
“Our horse that ran second (Mali Ston) just kept him in a bit of a pocket at a vital stage in the Japan Trophy, he needed to be rolling forward when he got held up. For him to run fifth on a bog of a track, it was a pretty nice effort.
“He’s probably better suited to a bit of cut in the track, so if they get the rain at Wellington, he would come right into contention.
“The set weights and penalties suit him down to the ground, he’ll only carry 55kg where in a normal handicap he would be carrying 60kg or more. He’s well placed and I think the 2100m will suit him as well.”
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