With three runner-up results from just five raceday appearances, De Russian Rocket (NZ) (Sweet Orange) is due a win, and trainer Ebony Turner is hoping it comes at Wingatui on Friday.
The three-year-old son of Sweet Orange has been a consistent performer for the Riverton horsewoman and will be out to continue his purple patch of form in the Positive Signs – Print Maiden 1400.
“He has been going really well, I am really happy with him,” Turner said. “He has come through his races each time better and better. He is a bit of a handful to deal with, so it is good to see him put his best foot forward on raceday.”
Turner said De Russian Rocket is suited to rain-affected tracks and is hoping there is some precipitation around Wingatui ahead of Friday.
“Ideally, I would have liked to have seen some rain around, but any bit of give in the track will help him, he is definitely not a summer horse,” she said.
De Russian Rocket has been allocated 58.5kg but will get some weight relief courtesy of apprentice jockey Denby-Rose Tait’s three-kilogram claim.
“Being the highest rated horse in the maiden, I saw it fit to pop Denby back on, she did a good job at Invercargill, and we get some weight off his back, which is a bit of help because he is not the biggest horse,” Turner said.
With racing going into hibernation in the deep south over winter, Turner said she isn’t afraid to travel with De Russian Rocket over the winter months.
“As long as he is still running good races, and he is happy and sound, we will just keep targeting the winter tracks and see how we go,” she said.
Turner is also set to line-up The Advisor (NZ) (Zacinto), who she has accepted for three 1600m races on Friday, but Turner has yet to decide on which route her charge will take.
“She is in the 65 miles and the 75 mile. I haven’t yet decided what one I am going to run her in,” she said. “Either way she will have Gosen Jogoo do the riding again, he did a good job riding her at Invercargill last start. She is just honest, she always gives it her best crack. She is no superstar, but she likes a bit of give in the track.
“She is the same as De Russian Rocket, as long as she is happy and sound, we will keep going through winter and hopefully she can get another win under her belt soon.”
Turner said being based at Riverton can make winter racing a bit tricky, with the Southland horsewoman having to travel to Otago or Canterbury to campaign her team.
“We have only got three more Wingatui meetings, including this one, and then we will look to travel,” she said. “As long as they are putting their best foot forward on raceday then it’s no hassle for us to do the trek if we have got confidence in the team.”
