Balcairn trainers John and Karen Parsons have conquered Champions Day and today have their sights set on Te Rapa.
The couple won all three feature races at Wingatui last Saturday without two of their best horses.
Instead, Kiwi Ida was being prepared for today’s group 1 BCD Sprint and Camino Rocosso was being aimed at the group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes.
Chris Johnson has the ride on both horses.
The Parsons are not getting ahead of themselves regarding the dual group 1 attack.
“It’s more likely we’ll head home with our tail between our legs,” Karen Parsons told NZ Racing Desk.
“Usually we fly under the radar — it’s a bit of a worry.”
Kiwi Ida goes into today’s 1400m feature having won the group 2 Westbury Classic over the same distance, at Ellerslie, late last month.
The 5yr-old, winner of 14 races, has since thrived while based at Mystery Creek.
“She’s come through her Ellerslie win really well,” Parsons said.
“She’s thrived here. It’s a home away from home for her. There’s a track here and we take her for gallops at Te Awamutu.”
The trainers are looking for their second win in the BCD Sprint after producing Final Touch to win the race in 2013.
“They are both great competitors but Final Touch had quite a bit of character to her. That’s probably the kindest way of putting it,” Parsons said.
“Kiwi Ida ... she’s like a pet. You could keep her in your back pocket if you wanted. She’s just lovely to do anything with.”
Camino Rocosso turned heads with a brilliant front-running win in the Trentham Stakes after winning the Waikouaiti Cup in the same style.
The 6yr-old will step up significantly in class when taking on Luvaluva, Beauden, Rock On Wood and True Enough in today’s 2000m feature.
But he will do it at the peak of his powers.
“He’s really bright. He’s going into this race in terrific order,” Parsons said.
“We won’t be doing anything too technical with him ... but he’ll make sure the race is run at a solid pace.”
Trainer Ben Foote has again opted to take on the colts and geldings rather than aim his star filly Travelling Light at the fillies’ race at Te Rapa.
Travelling Light will go head-to-head in what should be an enthralling clash with emerging gelding Dragon Leap in the group 2 Waikato Guineas.
Foote said he expects his filly to handle stepping up to 2000m
because of ‘‘the type of horse she is and her work all the along — her work is very laid back”.
