Cambridge trainer Ken Harrison is looking forward to heading to Pukekohe on Saturday where he will have a two-pronged attack in the Dunstan Horsefeeds 2200.
Tavistock gelding Espresso To Go has put in solid performances in his last two outings, placing over 2100m at Hawera on each occasion, and Harrison said he will appreciate stepping up to 2200m this weekend.
Pukekohe was rated a Heavy 10 on Friday morning, and that bodes the only concern for Harrison, but he said his charge will benefit from the weight relief of three-kilogram claiming apprentice Triston Moodley.
“A Heavy track is a little bit of a query for him, but I think he should be alright, he has been working well and going well in his last few races,” Harrison said.
“I put the light weight on him, claiming three kilos, and hopefully he will be able to use that inside draw (2) and settle either just in behind them or I am not too worried if he does lead.”
Espresso To Go will be met in the race by stablemate King Khan, who will be second-up after running fifth over 2100m at Hawera earlier this month.
“First-up he went huge on a firm track at Hawera,” Harrison said.
“I thought it would be way too firm for him, but he ran well, and the wet track should suit him.”
Weighing up between his two contenders, Harrison is leaning towards Espresso To Go as his better chance on Saturday.
“I have always gone King Khan, but I would have to go with Espresso To Go on the way he has been working and going,” he said.
“Being second-up for King Khan might hold him back a little fitness-wise.”
Both horses are set to press on throughout the winter, with southern aspirations for King Khan.
“Espresso has been up for a little while, but if he handles the wet tracks, we will just space his races a little bit,” Harrison said.
“King Khan is starting his prep and will probably head to Riccarton for the Winter Cup meeting. There will be a few other races around here for him if he doesn’t go there.”
Another stablemate tipped to head south is Not Ideal, who will head to Te Aroha on Monday to contest the Te Aroha Veterinary Services Big Day Out (1300m).
The seven-year-old gelding has been lumbered with 62kg on Monday, but Harrison will once again utilise Moodley’s claim to gain some weight relief.
“We have had to claim with the way he is up in the weights and with the wetter tracks now, but I think he will handle the heavy track alright, he seems to be working alright at Cambridge on the wet grass,” Harrison said.
“He might head to the Winter Cup (Group 3, 1600m), we will just see how he goes with these wetter tracks. We didn’t try him on the wetter tracks as such last year and stuck to Ruakaka, but the travel up there at the moment is a little bit of a problem.”
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