Terry Kennedy has the firepower to make an early impact at his local meeting on Sunday.
The Wingatui trainer will be represented by the in-form duo of Anticipate (NZ) (Ghibellines) and Sadler’s Lass (NZ) (Gallant Guru) in the opening event, the Grand Casino R88 Handicap (1600m).
Ghibellines mare Anticipate resumed from a break on the course earlier this month and romped home in her first appearance since January.
“I think she will be very hard to beat, she won nicely last start,” Kennedy said.
“She has come up really, really well and she’s a 2000m horse plus. It was only 1400m the other day and she obviously sprinted well and over a mile, at this stage, I’d expect her to be pretty competitive.”
Anticipate has been relatively lightly raced for a seven-year-old with three victories and a handful of placings from 17 appearances.
“She had a few issues early on and that’s why she hasn’t had many starts, a bit of time has been the best thing for her,” Kennedy said.
Sadler’s Lass also gave a good account of herself most recently when the Gallant Guru mare finished runner-up over a middle distance at Oamaru.
“She is very fit and we’re supposed to get quite a lot of rain and she likes it that way,” Kennedy said.
“Coming back in trip won’t worry her, they definitely won’t be running any time, the wet track will suit her and she likes Wingatui so she’ll be a good chance as well.”
Dan Subramanian will be aboard Anticipate while Yogesh Atchamah will claim 3kg off Sadler’s Lass.
Kennedy has also booked apprentice Ruvanesh Muniandy to partner Hakaharry in the Nellies Restaurant & Bar Maiden (1600m), with the pair posting two placings from their last three starts together.
“It could be Hakaharry’s turn, he’s been going alright in stronger fields, so I think he’ll be competitive and Sacred Mist was good last start as well,” Kennedy said.
Subramanian will also combine with Sacred Mist in the Property Brokers – Ray Kean Maiden (1400m) following their late-closing third last time out at Oamaru.
Kennedy’s team is completed by Miss Belle in the Dunedin City Motors Handicap (1600m) and a fresh I’m No Princess in the Otago Racing Club Life Members Maiden (1200m) with Subramanian again taking the rides.
“Miss Belle has been disappointing, but she’s got blinkers on for the first time,” Kennedy said.
“I thought she would have won a race easily by now, but she didn’t really handle the track last time at Oamaru where it was quite holding.
“She will be better off on Sunday if it’s looser and I’m No Princess isn’t the worst. She has come back a bit stronger this time.”
