Opaki trainer Jim Wallace was set to have a two-pronged attack in Thursday’s Gr.3 Elsdon Park Wellington Stakes (1600m) at Otaki, but his representation is now down to just one.
He had intended on lining up both Liberty Park (NZ) (Ocean Park) and Skippers Canyon (NZ) (Belardo) in the age group feature, however, the former is under offer following his last start win and will likely continue his racing career across the Tasman.
“Liberty Park is under offer, so we are just completing the formalities with him. He is going to a very good stable and it will be interesting to see him follow on,” Wallace said.
Liberty Park beat home Skippers Canyon by half a length at Woodville earlier this month, a result Skippers Canyon has become accustomed to, having finished runner-up in the three of his five career starts to date.
“He has consistently found one a little bit good for him but sooner or later he will take a trick. He is a nice horse going forward,” Wallace said.
“He is in great shape, he is working terrific, I am very happy with him.”
It won’t be the first time the son of Belardo is tested at stakes level, having competed in the Listed El Roca -Sir Colin Meads Trophy (1200m) on debut where he finished seventh in the eight horse field.
“We ran him at stakes level early on because he was well and we couldn’t find a suitable race for him,” Wallace said.
“I thought the worst thing he can do is run last and at best he might beat one home, and he beat one home.
“Warren Kennedy rode him and I said before the race that this horse doesn’t know anything but sooner or later I think he is going to be a good horse. He came back and said to me that I was right, he is a good horse but just needs to learn how to race.
“He has gradually been putting that together and hopefully on Thursday he will put his best foot forward.”
Skippers Canyon will jump from barrier 11 on Thursday and Wallace isn’t perturbed by the wide draw.
“I don’t think it will matter because he will get back a bit anyway,” he said. He wouldn’t be up looking for a position, we will just have to see how we go and see what sort of trip we get.”
