Racing: Track Tapper's only concern

Brah Spring just needs to handle the track to be a factor in race 5 at Wingatui tomorrow. Photo...
Brah Spring just needs to handle the track to be a factor in race 5 at Wingatui tomorrow. Photo by Matt Smith.
A slow track at Wingatui tomorrow is the only thing that worries Timaru trainer Murray Tapper about stable star Brah Spring.

The mare is on a path to New Zealand Cup week, with the group 3 Valachi Downs Canterbury Breeders Stakes on November 11 her main target for the spring.

The daughter of Darci Brahma has been a revelation since arriving at Tapper's stable in December, winning four of her 10 starts.

''She's ahead of where I thought she would be,'' he said.

''I was hoping if I got her down from the North Island, we might pick up two to three wins with her and she's already picked up four.

''To be honest, she hasn't look like she's finished yet.''

Her most recent start - and her first of a new campaign - was an eye-catching fourth at Ashburton on September 12.

''She just needs a few runs and is looking for better tracks, that's all,'' Tapper said.

''She's done very good since the race and I'm very happy with her.''

But a quick glance at the 5yr-old's statistics - seven starts for nothing - on rain-affected tracks confirms Tapper's big concern about the slow track tomorrow.

''That'll be her main opposition - the track at this stage,'' he said.

''She's looking for more distance as well, but it's not an overly strong field. She's the best horse in the race but if something handles the track better, they may beat her.''

Her task tomorrow has been aided by the engagement of Jake Lowry, whose 3kg claim brings her carried weight down to 56kg.

Brah Spring enjoyed ''six to eight weeks'' in the spelling paddock before Tapper brought her up with the 1400m feature in November in mind.

''The tracks were deteriorating, but she needed a break anyway,'' he said.

''That's the one the owners want to have a wee crack at. We'll chuck her in there and, all going well, we'll try to get her over a wee bit more distance and chase something like the Timaru Cup.''

Safely through tomorrow, Tapper might run her in a rating 85 1600m at Timaru on October 9.

''Then after that, we'll just have to look for whatever we need to to get to the Cup meeting.''

Tapper's only other member of his racing team is Alice Webb Ellis, who takes on a small but smart field in the open 1200m. Her last run was in the same race as Brah Spring at Ashburton, where she battled on for fifth.

''She's a handy enough mare without getting too carried away with her,'' Tapper said.

''On Saturday, there are a few a bit better than her, but she's got no weight, it's a small field, David Walsh [is riding], she could easily be in front and on her day she'll be hard to catch.''

Tapper ended up with five wins from 14 starters last year, for a phenomenal strike rate of 2.80, but is not expecting to replicate that again.

''I've been quite lucky with the two we've got from the North Island. Not only are they handy, but they're the nicest horses you'll ever come across.''

 


 

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