Australian visitor Rolls is aiming to finish a frustrating trans-Tasman mission on a high note when he contests the New World Otaki Handicap (1600m) at Otaki on Saturday.
Rolls travelled over from Maddie Raymond’s Warrnambool base in late September for a shot at the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m), but the eight-year-old failed to make the final field at Matamata, instead having to start in the undercard 2000m race where he finished a meritorious second to Wolfgang.
“I thought he was really good, we’d obviously trained him to be running at a mile, so he was a bit on the fresher side rather than the 2000m, particularly being five-and-a-half weeks between runs,” Raymond said.
“He had to carry near-topweight up there, so I thought it was a nice run.”
Following the race, Raymond shifted her focus to last Saturday’s Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Te Rapa, but another stroke of bad luck on the morning of the $550,000 feature continued his Kiwi woes.
“He travelled up to Te Rapa on the Friday, and unfortunately on Saturday morning, he was just brewing up a foot abscess overnight,” Raymond said.
“We obviously couldn’t run him in the Livamol, but we were able to get a farrier to him in the afternoon to fix that up and he’s 100 percent now.
“We missed out on getting a run in the Arrowfield and then after missing the Livamol as well, so it’s been an expensive trip over for the owners.
“He’s in such terrific order and has been the whole time he’s been in New Zealand, other than last Saturday, so he’s definitely ready to go to the races and do something while he’s still over there.
“He’s stabled at Otaki, so it made sense to have a look at this race.”
Raymond travelled back to Melbourne on Wednesday evening where she soon will be joined by her charge, who has been right at home at his temporary base.
“He’ll come home on a flight next Wednesday, he’s been in work for quite some time, so we’ll let him have a break then prep him for our winter over here,” she said.
“He’s thrived, I don’t think he’s left a scrap of feed since he’s been over there and he’s thoroughly enjoyed the environment.
“He’s been training down at the Peka Peka Beach every day, it’s a beautiful beach and surface to work him on.”
The Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m) winner will carry the 60kg topweight in Saturday’s race, where he will be ridden by regular hoop Harry Grace.
