Stakes tests are in the offing for Rangiotu galloper Chase (NZ) (Zed) if he performs up to expectations in the Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open 1600 at Wanganui on Saturday.
The Group One performer will be fresh-up after finishing unplaced in the Gr.3 Phar Lap Trophy (1600m) at Trentham in January, and trainer Stephen Nickalls has been pleased with his progress leading up the weekend.
“Chase is really well, we went to the Levin jump-outs yesterday (Tuesday) just to have a good hit-out, he ran third and did everything right, so I am really pleased with where he is at,” Nickalls said.
“Hopefully a bit of aqua turns up, like it is forecast, and that will certainly help his chances. Those 6, 7, 8 tracks he will love fresh-up.”
Nickalls is looking forward to getting a gauge on his gelding this weekend against a quality line-up, with his performance dictating his autumn path.
“It is a very good field for Saturday, there are some nice horses in there. We will certainly get an indication of where we are at,” he said.
“There are a couple of Listed miles – the ANZAC Mile and Rangitikei Gold Cup. He is a hard horse to place now, he is rating 90, so he gets high up in the weights, which helps in one aspect as we can get Jonathan (Riddell) to ride him.
“He is right up at the top of the handicap in a lot of his races, but on Saturday he is good because Mr Myers has got Aljay in there, so that pushes his weight down a bit. He will tell us how well he has come up after Saturday and we will press along those lines.”
Earlier on the card, Nickalls will line-up Dark And Dusty (NZ) (Derryn) in the Wanganui Insurance Brokers Maiden 1600, where he will benefit from apprentice jockey Amber Riddell’s three-kilogram claim.
“He is a really nice horse,” Nickalls said. “He is probably six to 12 months away, he’s just a bit immature physically and in his brain every now and again, he is one of the spookiest horses I have got.
“He has drawn well in four so hopefully Amber can use that and the three kilos off will really help him.
“He went well for her at Waverley the other day. He is really happy and a little bit of luck will certainly help him.”
