Progressive galloper Little Bit Of Love (NZ) (Time Test) will aim to complete his preparation on a high this Saturday at Pukekohe, chasing a fourth-straight victory in the Elsdon Park 1400.
The late-developing four-year-old only made his debut in December but has rapidly risen through the grades with four wins from seven appearances, most recently completing a hattrick for trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott at Te Rapa.
Little Bit Of Love was piloted in that race by apprentice Ngakau Hailey, and his three-kilogram claim will provide weight relief from his 60.5kg impost on Saturday.
“He’s an athletic, fit-looking horse who is racing very well with a load of confidence,” Scott said.
“While he’s sneaking up the handicap now, the big claim will bring him into it more.
“The only question mark is the testing going on Saturday, it will be the most testing that he has met, but we’re confident he’ll run well again.”
Scott indicated the son of Time Test will likely be headed for the spelling paddock after this assignment, with plenty more improvement still to come.
“Hopefully he can tick another box on the weekend then he probably deserves a good break, and he’ll come back an older, stronger horse next season,” he said.
“He didn’t start racing until he was four, and he’s a good advertisement for giving horses time so they can really hit their straps.”
Wexford Stables will be strongly represented elsewhere on the Pukekohe card, with a trio of runners in each of the Rich Hill Stud 1200, Barfoot & Thompson 1600 and SkyCity Horizon 1600.
The Heavy10 conditions of Pukekohe will be well suited to Canny Man (NZ) (Preferment), Silver Javelin (NZ) (Reliable Man) and Winexpress (NZ) (Shamexpress), who will be guided by Hailey and fellow apprentices Triston Moodley and Niranjan Parmar in the Rating 65 1200m contest.
“I think Canny Man is coming back into his best form and his last run was really encouraging, he’s also quite adept in the footing,” Scott said.
“Silver Javelin has the hood on for the first time, and we’ve seen quite a bit of improvement in her training with that applied. She races well at this time of year and her fitness has certainly benefitted with both runs back, she’s certainly close to her peak.
“It’s a bit of the same for Winexpress, he’s taken good improvement with his first two runs and the claim brings him into it. All three horses are good genuine chances.”
The three-year-old contenders will be chasing an elusive maiden success over the mile, with Wolf Rayet (NZ) (Vadamos), Baggio (NZ) (War Decree) and Cash Treasure (NZ) (Preferment) engaged.
“Wolf Rayet is a bit of a question mark on the testing footing, but he finished well at Te Rapa on good ground and has been going well,” Scott said.
“Baggio has been a bit unlucky, but he’s got the senior rider on (Sam Spratt) there to keep him going and he should race on well at the weekend. He’s another one that has taken a bit of racing to get fit.
“Cash Treasure raced a bit hesitantly last start so she’ll get the blinkers on, and we’ve seen quite an improvement with them on at home. She’s fit and comes in with high levels of education, so she should run well.”
Another last-start winner out of their Matamata barn was Te Atatu Dream (NZ) (Complacent), and she will line-up in the Rating 65 mile alongside stablemates Jaffira (NZ) (Iffraaj) and Watergate (NZ) (Contributer).
“A good positive ride from Billy (Jacobson, jockey) got her home last-start, and she’s one that we’ve put aside for this time over year into the early spring and has been patiently handled,” Scott said.
“She’s come of age now, we think she can back up her last-start win and she’s a fit mare that revels in the ground.
“Jaffira went close last start, and we think he’s going really well. With a claimer (Hailey) and at Pukekohe where he races well, there’s no reason why he can’t put his best foot forward.
“Watergate went close at her first-up run and certainly taken benefit from it. Up to the mile, she’s pretty close to being right there other than this being the wettest ground she’s ever hit.
“Hopefully she handles the ground and races well on the weekend.”
