Karis Teetan is optimistic that an improved Will Power (NZ) (Power) can continue his ascent up the ratings with a third consecutive win in Sunday’s red-hot Class 2 Ashley Handicap (dirt, 1200m).
The talented dirt specialist has five wins from nine starts, all on the dirt, and now sits on the cusp of a triple figure rating ahead of just his 10th outing.
“He’s had two nice wins now this season and Douglas (Whyte) has the horse in very good shape, he’s mentally and physically improved a lot – he’s a really smart horse,” Teetan said.
The Mauritian ace has built a tidy partnership with the son of Power, having been in the plate for each of the 95-rater’s wins, a figure 43 points higher than his debut mark.
“Since day one I’ve always liked him, I ride him most mornings so I like to spend a bit of time with him, he’s got a character in the morning and I love that I ride him,” Teetan said.
The five-year-old cruised to a comfortable one-length success last time out, rallying from worse than midfield to score in style with a bit left in hand.
“He’s a better horse this season and I really hope he can take a step forward and bring what he’s showing us in the morning,” the Mauritian ace said.
Will Power was purchased out of Mapperley Stud’s 2017 New Zealand Bloodstock Select draft.
Meanwhile, on Sunday’s 10-race fixture, unbeaten Soaring Tower (NZ) (Charm Spirit) will step out once again in the Class 4 Hankow Handicap (1200m) off the back of an impressive debut win.
The Chris So-trained four-year-old swept his rivals aside for a comfortable length and a half score off the back of a number of solid trial performances.
“I just really hope he keeps improving, he looks good at trackwork in the mornings, it seems like after the first start he’s shown improvement,” So said.
The Charm Spirit gelding was originally purchased from Prima Park’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run draft before being a HK$4 million purchase out of the 2020 Hong Kong International Sale (July).
Karis Teetan takes the reins and the pair will break from gate 10 among the field of 12 expected to line-up.
“I did all of his work before his debut and all of his trials, and he won pretty impressively first-up,” Teetan said.
“We always knew that the horse had some ability – he looked impressive first-up, he goes up in weight and he’s got an awkward draw to overcome but he’s got the ability so let’s hope he can do it again.”
