Racing: Hoffman has hopes in both codes

Cerato resumes after a long break in race 5 at Forbury Park tonight. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
Cerato resumes after a long break in race 5 at Forbury Park tonight. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
Think you're going to be busy today? Amber Hoffman might have you thinking again.

Hoffman has three runners engaged at the Oamaru Jockey Club meeting at Oamaru this afternoon, followed by a team of six at Forbury Park tonight.

Hoffman will head north to Oamaru with the thoroughbreds, so she will be relying on the assistance of others before she arrives at Forbury Park about 8pm.

Her farrier, Gavin Fox, is ''doing a few truckloads for us'', while Aaron Johnston and Jonny Cox will give a hand where they can.

The trip to Oamaru is more out of necessity than anything, as two of her charges - Strictly Limited and Unreachable - need a run before Wingatui next Thursday.

Strictly Limited (race 2) has shown her best form on rain-affected tracks, so the good3 at Oamaru will not assist her chances in the 2200m maiden.

''Tomorrow is probably not going to suit her on a hard track but she just needs a bit of a gallop because I'm aiming her for that maiden mile [1600m] next week at Wingatui,'' Hoffman said.

''That track next Thursday should suit her down to the ground. But she might go a cheeky race, I don't know.''

Unreachable (race 3) is on debut, but Hoffman believes he will be better with another 12 months under the belt.

''He went pretty good at the jumpouts - he led all the way and just got headed in the last bit.

''Courtney really liked him but the track again is going to be too hard for him. We're just going to treat it as a trial because Wingatui will suit him next week.''

Enchanter has returned to racing after dabbling in showjumping, where he had shown enough aptitude to impress former Olympic and world champion showjumper Vaughn Jefferis. His future lies in hurdling, but Hoffman is aiming to keep him interested in the meantime.

''He's pretty lazy - the jockey will come in sweating more than he will. They've just got to ride him the whole way or he's happy to run 100m last.''

Hoffman rates Gyrate (race 7) as the best of her six chances at Forbury Park - provided he has his manners in place.

The Elsu gelding decided to make life difficult for driver Stevie Golding at Ascot Park on June 1, breaking in the score-up.

''If he behaves, he's got a good chance. It just depends what horse turns up on the day,'' she said.

''If he's on the gate, he's fine. But the other day at Invercargill, he was on the second line, so he just started playing up.''

Cerato (race 5) is back after a long spell, brought on by a torrid run at Omakau on January 2.

''Jonny gave him another go at Oamaru [on January 8], but he had burnt himself after Omakau so he had a bit of a break. We've brought him up slowly as he's a massive horse. He'll definitely need the run but in saying that, he's feeling pretty good, so he might surprise us.''

Northview Hanover (race 3) is a place chance, although Hoffman hopes the removal of the blinds means the 4yr-old won't pull so hard, while Play Action finally gets a a good draw of barrier 3 to work with.

''She definitely can run the gate so if she can get to the fence and follows them round, she might be in the first four.''

Hoffman opted for The Black over stablemate One Out Of Four in race 9.

''He's got the better draw and if he can step like we know he can, he'll go to the front and lead them.''

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