Awapuni trainer Mark Oulaghan is hoping a change of tactics will see Semper Magico return to the winner’s circle at Trentham on Saturday when the in-form galloper contests the Mode Technology Feilding Cup (2100m).
The consistent eight-year-old is having his best campaign to date, having recorded four wins and two minor placings from his last six starts, most recently finishing third in the Staphanos Classic (2100m) at Trentham a fortnight ago.
“We were pretty happy with the run, he raced pretty handy and he was reasonably strong at the finish,” Oulaghan said.
“But we possibly learnt a thing or two about racing at Wellington with him, and we might ride him slightly differently on Saturday.
“A soft track would suit him but he’s pretty versatile on anything really, he handled it at Waverley when it wasn’t too bad that day and then Hawke’s Bay in the heavy.”
Comignaghi has made several recent raceday appearances in the Central Districts and will partner with Semper Magico again when she returns to Trentham on Saturday.
“After her ride the other day she knows the horse now, so we’ll be more confident in that respect this weekend,” Oulaghan said.
Semper Magico’s superior form has resulted in an extended preparation, however, Oulaghan is mindful that a spell is nearing for the gelding.
“We haven’t done a lot with him since Wellington, he had a gallop here (Awapuni) on Saturday morning and a quiet gallop yesterday, so we’ll probably just work him and swim him a bit,” he said.
“He’s at the stage where he doesn’t need a lot of work, so we’re just ticking him over.
“He raced through the winter in sprint races so it’s a pretty big ask for him to race and then continue right through so we’re going to have to back off him at some stage, whether it’s after this race or after one more I’m not sure.
“We’re just going off how he’s performing.”
Seven-year-old Super Flash will be another Oulaghan-bred, part-owned and trained runner at the Trentham meeting when he contests the Ratanui Development Company 2100.
The son of Super Easy has mixed hurdling assignments with flat racing this campaign and will jump from a wide draw of 14 when guided by Lisa Allpress on Saturday.
“To be quite honest, he wants it wet and when we looked at the long-range forecast before nominating him it was meant to be raining down there Friday and Saturday, but I think that’s changed a wee bit now,” Oulaghan said.
“It’s probably got to be soft to heavy for him, and if we got those conditions I think he’d be a show.”
