What you see is what you get with consistent mare Tanner and trainer Kylie Hoskin sees no reason to expect anything else from her charge at Saturday’s Taranaki meeting.
The daughter of Telperion has been in grand touch this preparation and will bid to add to her record when she makes her open-class debut.
“The one thing you can guarantee with her is that she’ll give 100 percent and she’s quite a tractable horse in the running,” Hoskin said.
“She’ll listen to the jockey and sit wherever she’s told so no matter where she’s drawn, I don’t have to worry too much.”
Tanner, whose stablemate Quality Time has a Group One target on his spring program, is raced by breeder Gerry Harvey and has posted three runner-up finishes and a last-start victory at Hawera from her five outings this preparation.
“She is so genuine, really determined and she tries so hard every time. Her form this time has been super, and she’s been unlucky not to get a couple more,” Hoskin said.
Tanner will be partnered on Saturday by champion apprentice Lily Sutherland, who was aboard the mare two starts back when they finished second at Hawke’s Bay where they were held up early in the run home.
The lightly tried five-year-old is fashioning a smart record with three wins and five placings from 13 appearances, and Hoskin is keen to press on after Saturday.
“If all goes well, we’re looking at an open handicap at Wanganui on Guineas’ Day in two weeks’ time,” Hoskin said.
“She likes the mud so while the rain is around, we’ll try to keep finding races for her.
“She likes going left-handed and loves a trip away. Taking horses like her down the line is a breeze, you know you’re going to get there and she’ll eat and drink and try their best on the day.”
Tanner will be accompanied south from her Byerley Park base by Opera Belle and Chase ‘N’ Gold.
A maiden winner in Victoria, Opera Belle will make her debut from the stable following a lead-up trial at Te Rapa.
“She raced in Australia and just struggled with the better surfaces over there,” Hoskin said.
“She was originally purchased by Go Racing and was later retired before some owners bought her at auction and sent her to me to have a go on the wet tracks.”
By Reliable Man, Opera Belle is a daughter of Kiri, who won on eight occasions including twice at Listed level.
“She trialled up alright, so we’ll see how she goes on Saturday,” Hoskin said.
A two-time winner from numerous opportunities, Chase ‘N’ Gold has batted in his last two appearances and needs to lift at the weekend.
“He’s running out of chances, he’s a nice horse but doesn’t seem to have much luck and he doesn’t make his own luck either,” Hoskin said.
Meanwhile, the German-bred Quality Time stretched his legs at the Avondale trials this week in his first appearance since a break after he won an open distance event at Ruakaka in early June.
“I was really happy with his trial on a track that wasn’t suitable,” Hoskin said.
“He hit the line nicely and has come through it well. He’ll go to Ruakaka in two weeks’ time and hopefully head to the Livamol (Group 1, 2040m), that’s his end game.”
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