Ken and Bev Kelso are gearing up for the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday with high hopes for their hot favourite, Legarto.
However, the Matamata trainers are keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for Hawke’s Bay, hoping for the predicted warm and windy conditions on Thursday and Friday to help improve the track conditions, which were rated a Heavy 10 on Thursday morning.
Legarto has emerged as the horse to beat in the $400,000 feature after her impressive performance in the Group 1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) earlier this month, where she stormed home to finish third.
Online bookmakers currently rates her as the clear favourite at +140.
Despite the challenging track conditions due to over 40mm of rain in Hastings this week, Ken Kelso expressed confidence in their preparations, saying, “We’re all systems go for Hastings on Saturday, but obviously we’re on weather watch.
“She can handle a little bit of give in the ground, but we probably wouldn’t want it to stay in that heavy range.
“Hopefully, the weather will get better through the next couple of days, maybe with some wind as well, and it might come back a little bit.
“Apart from that, we’ve been very happy with our build-up to the race.”
Legarto, a standout winner of the Group 1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) and Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) as a three-year-old last season, kicked off her four-year-old campaign with an impressive run in the Tarzino Trophy.
She settled towards the back of the field, faced some traffic issues at the top of the home straight, but charged home strongly to finish just two half-necks behind the first two placegetters.
Ken Kelso praised Legarto’s performance, saying, “I thought it was a very good run first-up in the Tarzino.
“The way that she found the line was really pleasing.
“I think everything has gone to plan in the few weeks since that run.
“To my eye, she’s improved in every aspect – in her fitness, her condition, and her coat.
“We’re very happy with her. She’s been working really well.”
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