Consistent galloper The Good Shepherd will aim to add to his career-best season at Ascot Park on Sunday, starting among the favourites in the Editor’s Cut Sports Bar Handicap (1200m).
The Power seven-year-old is nearing the $100,000 mark in the current term, with three wins and a number of placings in good company across the South Island. He is trained by trainer-jockey Lee Callaway, but often the topweight, the gelding has established a successful partnership with rising apprentice Ruvanesh Muniandy, who will be back on board and decreasing his weight to 57kg.
A month since his last appearance at Wingatui, The Good Shepherd will turn up in a fresh state having pleased Callaway in the lead-up.
“He had a couple of weeks off to freshen him up and he’s been working well, he should be nice and fresh and feeling well for Sunday,” Callaway said.
“I think he prefers the better tracks now, but we’ll go here and then head to the open sprint at Riverton over Easter.”
The Waikouaiti horseman will have a six-strong representation at the Southland meeting, with last-start winner Pete’s Pride stepping up in class after winning a competitive Rating 65 contest on Otago Classics Day.
“He’d been working well and went a great race that day, he had a week off as well after that,” Callaway said. “He should be really competitive.”
Callaway has called upon another claimer in Yogesh Atchamah for Pete’s Pride, while senior hoops Rohan Mudhoo and Ashvin Goindasamy take the ride on stablemates Shooting Stride and Empress Suiko in The Ave Sports Bar Maiden (2225m).
“They’re pretty evenly matched, Shooting Stride came from back last-start and it was a very good run, he just wanted to do a couple of things wrong,” Callaway said. “The distance should be perfect for him.
“Empress Suiko didn’t handle the wet track last-start, I’ve taken the blinkers off and giving her a go over the 2200 this time, she’s bred to go this distance. I would’ve preferred to go in the 1800 but I think she’ll get away with it.”
Completing the stable runners will be Mininjagirl (Waikiwi Tavern and The Foundry Restaurant Handicap, 1400m) and Hestikitiboo (Northern TAB and Sports Bar Handicap, 2225m).
“I would’ve liked to get another 1200 race in for Mininjagirl, she had a decent go over that last time, but on a better track, I think she’ll go a nice race,” he said.
“Hestikitiboo is probably working the best of most of my horses to be honest.”