The Queen’s Birthday Holiday Group race chasing action continues at the Manawatu Raceway on Monday afternoon where the $15,000 North Island Challenge Stakes final will be decided.
Pic: The powerful one turn track specialist winner American Warrior
Last Monday’s pair of 457m heats delivered two emphatic winners which see the pair of them absolutely dominating the TAB Final Field market (option 919) for the Group 2 final.
American Warrior ($1.65) requires no introduction about his potency on the big, sweeping horseshoe shaped tracks after winning all eleven of his races on the one turn circuits. He cleared out during the run home in his heat to return a slick 25.81s.
Drawing trap six for his trainers Dave and Jean Fahey isn’t likely to faze the current NZ Cup title holder whatsoever. “He didn’t jump that good in his heat, but I guess he never does. He should be okay from his draw. He has come through his heat good,” confirmed Dave Fahey.
Storm Warning ($2.20) stormed through his heat assignment when undertaking the pace making duties to return a tidy 25.90s winning time, completing his task holding a 5.5 length advantage over his rivals. He is also quickly compiling a tidy race record on the one turn tracks for his conditioner Lisa Cole. His NZ Derby victory at Cambridge confirms that.
“He went terrific in his heat. He had a little freshen up which made the difference to his race start. He is going to have to do the same again (from trap four)) on Monday. He had a real strong hit out this morning (Thursday) and he’s all set for Monday,” advised the trainers’ husband Brendon Cole.
His kennelmate Allegro Gun ($21) was very brave when he gamely chased home American Warrior for his 3.5 length heat second. The Hatrick 305m track record holder led his rivals through the first sectional and jumping from trap two on Monday says he can adopt similar tactics. He does have a Group 2 457m minor placing listed beside his name.
“I thought he was impressive when he led American Warrior to the first mark, then he kept up his gallop to be only three lengths behind him. He came through that super and he also had a good hit out this morning,” confirmed Cole who added, “My concern is both of my dogs having to clear the dogs drawn on their insides.”
Canterbury trainer Craig Roberts qualified a strong pair of litter brothers for this final. Ride Ain’t ($15) Over trekked north after having won the Group 2 NZ St Leger. His heat effort was strong when he punched out off the early midfield pack to press on for his 3.75 length heat third to American Warrior.
“Yes, I was pleased with the way the two big fella’s went, although I’m not very pleased with their draws as they both tend to race away from the rail. Ride Ain’t Over (trap three) went huge – he was simply flying home,” said Roberts.
His litter brother Resident Djay ($21) delivered an eye-catching track debut effort when he led home the chase after Storm Warning. He owns proven form on Victorian one turn tracks and he would have benefited from his first look at this venue.
“He is a better box dog that his brother, although he has to jump quickly from the inside (trap one). If either or both of them can get some clear early air and position themselves handy to the pace, then yes they would be big chances. Bob (handler, Blackburn) tells me both have come through Monday in good style. Bob is up there for the week as we thought we may as well take in some other meetings,” stated Roberts.
North Island Challenge Stakes contenders (from left): Storm Warning; Allegro Gun; Ride Ain’t Over
Also providing two finalists is Roberts’ son Matt. Cawbourne Nath ($61) was bold when he placed himself handy to the pace which resulted in him kicking on stoutly for his 7.75 length heat third to Storm Warning.
“His heat effort was pretty bold, especially after he muffed the start. He must do everything right from trap seven as I think he will struggle to match it with others inside him to the first turn,” suggested Roberts.
Cawbourne Trixy ($41) has always displayed potential and she was brave in the manner that she stuck to her task to hold down her fourth placing, even though she wound up 8.75 lengths astern of American Warrior.
“I was happy enough with her heat run. She has to do everything right from that draw (five) and she will need some early luck as she’s only a small girl. She will strongly run to the line. Both of my runners has been bouncing around out their skins since Monday,” confirmed Roberts.
It is the Angela Turnwald trained Paul Dozer ($26) who completes the drawn field after he whacked away soundly to land his 8.5 length heat fourth behind Storm Warning. Drawing out in trap eight says that this Auckland Cup runner-up must hop straight onto the early pace here.
“I was happy enough with his heat run and he is likely to improve from that outing, although being out wide (trap eight) isn’t the greatest as he is better on the rail. His legs aren’t getting any younger,” advised the trainers’ partner Paul Freeman about the four-year-old chaser.
His kennelmate, the exciting young C2 graded chasing prospect Mija Sydney ($18), occupies the first possie on the reserves bench, while Cole provides the second reserve with Map My Run ($41), who is a proven chaser at the top level around here.
North Island Challenge Stakes contenders (from left): Cawbourne Nath; Cawbourne Trixy; Paul Dozer
By Peter Fenemor
