Wingatui trainers Brian and Shane Anderton might have five chances in Saturday’s ODT Southern Mile Qualifier (1600m) on their home track but their best chance of winning the series final could be lining up in the day’s feature.
The Andertons have an abundance of progressive lower-grade 1600m horses at present so the timing of the lucrative 10-race series has come at an opportune time for the stable.
Country Boy (NZ) (Ghibellines), Capo Dell Impero (NZ) (Ghibellines), Carisbrook (NZ) (Darci Brahma), Prowler (NZ) (Gallant Guru) and Regal Girl (NZ) (Ghibellines) will tackle Saturday’s qualifier as they chase points to secure a place in the $60,000 final at Wingatui on March 5.
However, the better-performed Exchange (NZ) (Ghibellines) has already secured sufficient points to ensure a start in the final should the Andertons choose to follow that path but his more pressing assignment is Saturday’s Gr.3 White Robe Lodge (1600m).
“He’s qualified for the Southern Mile Series Final now and we can always go back in grade for that later on but we just felt he deserved his shot at a better one now,” Shane Anderton said.
“We’ve had this race in the back of our mind right from when we brought him back into work this time in. We had planned on having a crack at the Coupland’s Mile (Gr.2, 1600m) earlier on but things didn’t go quite right.
“He just started standing in the gates and watching the other horses get a head start on him but he seems to be back on track again. He’s going well now and I’m quite happy with him.
“He won well out here two starts back and I think last time the 62 kilos just got the better of him. It’s weight-for-age this weekend so it won’t be easy again but he’s not over-big and it was just the 62 kilos the other day that told on him.
“You don’t line them up in these sort of races unless you think you’ve got a chance. It’s a good money day and these are the ones you have to target especially when they are on your back door. You can’t beat racing at home.”
TAB bookmakers have Exchange at $14 in an even-looking White Robe Lodge, their market headed by the Andrew Carston-trained Hasabro at $3.50.
With five runners in the ODT Southern Mile Qualifier, the Andertons have a strong hand in a race that could play a key part in a series the stable is a big advocate of.
“It’s worked out well for us because we’ve got quite a few milers around us at that moment and they are all good money races so it’s worth chasing,” Anderton said.
Anderton has his eye on the weather forecast in the leadup to Saturday’s meeting and said his best chances would depend on the conditions.
“It really depends on what the weather does. It was 33 degrees down here yesterday but we’ve got rain here today and there’s meant to be more coming tomorrow,” Anderton said on Thursday.
“They’ve all been running nice races. Capo Dell Impero has been a bit unlucky. He really hasn’t run a bad race this preparation and Prowler’s been a bit unlucky at times.
“We’ve had a bit of bad luck with the draws so they may need some luck but one thing about Wingatui, the mile start is a good start and they get a lot of time to get across and get cover so I’m not going to dwell on that too much.”
The stable has 14 runners engaged for Saturday’s meeting with Ruby’s Lad (NZ) (Ghibellines) taking top billing in the Listed Positive Signs Dunedin Guineas (1500m), having run a gallant second placing in the Listed Gore Guineas (1335m) last month.
“He’s a decent sort of a horse, probably one of the best we’ve had in the stable for a while,” Anderton said.
“He’s still probably six months away from being at his best. He’s still a big baby. He’s probably 16.2 (hands) and a bit green and that’s probably what tripped him up at Gore the other day.
“He came around the corner as good as he could have. Back on the big track on Saturday, that should really suit him right down to the ground. He’ll go well.
“He’s always shown us plenty of ability but he was never going to be a 2000 Guineas horse. In another six months when he catches up, he’ll be a different horse again.
“What he’s been doing has just been on natural ability. We’ll get this Guineas out of the way and then see what we’re doing. We’re up to 1500m now and if we’re going well enough, we might even chuck in a late entry for a Derby but there’s still a bit of water to go under the bridge yet.”
The Andertons have two runners in the Steve Anderton Memorial, a race they would love to win with either Rosy Clark (NZ) (Ghibellines) or All Ashore (NZ) (Gallant Guru).
“It’s the anniversary today of when he died. It’s great to have this race honouring Steve, my cousin. He was a good horseman, only a young fella when he died leaving behind a young family. He was taken too soon.”
