By Michael Guerin
As bad barrier draws go this is as good as it gets for Akuta in Tuesday’s $750,000 IRT New Zealand Cup at Addington.
The hot favourite will start from wide on the second in the 3200m, which hardly sounds ideal but co-trainer Nathan Purdon isn’t worried for two reasons.
Purdon was at Addington preparing for the Cup trials when he heard the news Akuta will, if the emergencies come out, start from four on the second line on Tuesday.
His next question produced the answer he wanted when he heard Australian challenger Swayzee had also drawn the second line, likely to start from barrier two there.
While the vagaries of standing starts could see any number of scenarios unfold, Akuta drawing the second line but having Swayzee back there for company is far better then having to give the NSW pacer a start.
“Yes, we wouldn’t have wanted him (Swayzee) drawing to go straight to the lead and us chasing,” says Purdon.
“Them both being back there puts it on level footing and as we know Akuta isn’t a fast beginner so it isn’t like we thought he could step straight to the lead if we drew the front line any way.
“So I think it really makes the race and our horse is exactly where he needs to be.”
The favoured pair will be joined on the second line by B D Joe (one second line) whereas of the higher-assessed runners Republican Party (3), Krug (4) and Old Town Road (9) have drawn the front line.
The Team Dalgety pair will likely start from barriers two and three as one of the emergencies in Got You Covered has drawn barrier two and if he comes out then Smiffy’s Terror will move to the outside of the front line, giving the field a 10-5 split with no unruly runners.
Old Town Road looks well suited by his wide draw as he can be a fast beginner but he was pulled out of Wednesday’s Cup trial after being treated for a skin infection so he will have his final public hitout between races at Rangiora on Friday.
The IRT New Zealand Cup draw is :
1 Pembrook Playboy
2 Got You Covered (E1)
3 Republican Party
4 Krug
5 Beach Ball
6 Kango
7 Mossdale Ben
8 One Change
9 Old Town Road
10 Macandrew Aviator
11 Smiffy’s Terror
12 B D Joe
13 Swayzee
14 American Me
15 Akuta
16 Heza Sport
17 Bach (E2)
To see next Tuesday’s fields at Addington click here
