Awapuni mare Town Cryer will attempt to add to her stakes record when she heads north to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Group 2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa.
She placed in the Group 2 Awapuni Gold Cup (2100m) at Trentham last month, where trainer Roydon Bergerson said she raced too keenly, and he is hoping she is a more relaxed this weekend.
“She was just a bit too keen on the bridle and she (Sam Spratt, jockey) couldn’t get her to come back to her. She over-raced, which she doesn’t usually do,” Bergerson said.
“It was her first time over ground for a while and she just didn’t relax. In saying that, I don’t think she would have beaten Waitak anyway.”
Town Cryer will jump from barrier 11 this weekend with Joe Doyle in the saddle.
A day prior, Bergerson is looking forward to returning to race on his home track’s recently renovated grass track, where he will be represented by Charlotte’s Way.
“It has been a while, but it will be great to get back (racing at Awapuni), I am looking forward to it,” Bergerson said.
Charlotte’s Way was runner-up over 1400m at Trentham last month, and Bergerson is hoping she can go one better on ANZAC Day.
“She was pretty brave the other day,” he said. “She is a funny, little mare, she has got to have things go her way.
“She has worked up really well since, I have kept her fresh and she seems to be better three weeks between runs.
“We have done a lot of different things with her, like swimming, jumping, and she does that every other day. Her work yesterday morning was really good. I am very happy with her.”
On Sunday, Bergerson will head to Wanganui with two runners, including last-start winner Vee Vee and Bradman.
“Bradman is coming up super this year, he has really strengthened up and finally matured,” Bergerson said. “Half of his life he has spent in the judicial reports. He has come up really well and the aim is the Winter Cup (Group 3, 1600m) with him.
“He had a tough time the other day, three-wide with no cover first-up, but I am pretty happy with him.”
Horse racing news
