Andrew Carston will be represented by five runners at Friday’s Wingatui meeting and believes Russian Fable (NZ) (Zacinto) is one of his best chances.
The Riccarton trainer has the daughter of Zacinto in the Dunedin City Motors Handicap (1200m), in which he will also run Lipa Mala (NZ) (Vadamos), and said she is in the right order to take advantage of a drop in class.
“Russian Fable is back to Rating 65, I’ll claim 4kg off her and she’s back in a grade she can win in,” said Carston, who also owns the six-year-old.
“Lipa Mala has been disappointing, but this will be the first time she’s got really wet ground which she appreciates,” Carston said.
“I do think Russian Fable with the full claim is probably the better chance of the two though.”
Russian Fable is a past course and distance winner will be partnered by apprentice Yogesh Atchamah while Lipa Mala will be ridden by Kavish Chowdhoory.
Vadamos four-year-old Proper Twelve (NZ) has been freshened since finishing fifth at Riccarton in March and is seen as a strong chance in the Crombie Lockwood Insurance Maiden (1200m).
“Proper Twelve is going quite well and he’s first-up, but he didn’t have long off,” Carston said.
“He’s coped with wet ground before and it’s a winnable race for him.”
Stable newcomer So Graceful (So You Think) has drawn attention to her prospects in the Rugby At The Races – Sunday 4th June Maiden (1400m) with encouraging recent efforts.
“So Graceful has had two starts for me for two fifths so she’s going quite well,” Carston said.
He is also looking forward to the in-form Where’s Wally (NZ) (Ghibellines) stepping out at Trentham on Saturday in The Oaks Stud U S Navy Flag Autumn Series Final (1200m).
“He’s probably in as good a form as he’s been in his career with three really positive runs this preparation and capped off by a good win last start,” Carston said.
The son of Ghibellines was successful at Riccarton earlier this month in the hands of apprentice Lily Sutherland.
“Lily is going to ride him again, which is a positive and she’ll take 3kg off,” Carston said.
“He’s in great form and it’s a $50,000 race so we’ll roll the dice with him as there’s not a lot down here for him to be honest.”
Where’s Wally has been a slow burner, but as a seven-year-old was now fully mature.
“Physically, he’s a lot stronger, he was very weak earlier on,” Carston said.
“He’s coped with wet ground in the past, obviously Trentham is a bit different and that’s probably the only query, but it’s worth having a go.
“If he does go well, I’ll probably leave him up there for one more run somewhere. We’ll decide that after Saturday.”
Meanwhile, former stable favourite Art De Triomphe (NZ) (Vadamos) was sold earlier this month at the Inglis Chairman’s Sale for A$150,000 to Victoria’s Yabby Dam Farms after injury curtailed her racing career.
“She was as good as I’ve ever trained, but she had so many issues,” Carston said.
“I thought she was a chance to win the Gr.1 New Zealand 1000 Guineas, that’s how distraught I was when she first chipped her knee.”
A daughter of Vadamos and the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) winner Art Beat, Art De Triomphe won three of her eight starts including the Listed Canterbury Belle Stakes (1200m) and was runner-up in the Gr.3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m).
