Ohoka Texas has had three races in much stronger company in a fresh campaign, displaying speed to finish fourth in the Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington and the Hannon Memorial at Oamaru.
Matt Maguire, who finished second to Ohoka Texas last year, is again among his rivals.
Ultimate Player, now trained by owner Murray Swain, is starting fresh. Swain claimed Ultimate Player after the gelding recorded his fifth win at Addington in July. Ultimate Player was then trained by Brendon Hill.
Ultimate Player has not raced since he finished second to Motu Speedy Star in the Kurow Cup at his subsequent start.
Matt Maguire is among several prospects for the stable of Cran Dalgety, the leading trainer this season with 20 wins, a lead of five over Robert Dunn. Christian Creek, Mac Bubbles, Huntaway Mach, Flying Anvil and Sonatina give Dalgety and stable reinsman Dexter Dunn a strong hand.
• Lauramegan, a winner for the stable at Addington on September 20 in her only start, is now trained by Robert Dunn.
The 3yr-old filly is engaged in race 10 at the Timaru meeting tomorrow. She is owned by Clive and Rona McKay, who have raced other horses out of the Dunn stable.
Ayemmpee (race 5 at Timaru) is now trained by John Howe.
Ayemmpee was a winner two starts back at Addington when trained by Gavin Smith.
El Skipper has his first start for Geoff and Jude Knight in race 5 at Winton. He was a winner at Oamaru in January when trained by Robbie Holmes.
Alta Christiano has been scratched at the Wairio meeting due to a blood disorder.
Flyin Courage will race at Washdyke in preference to Winton. Runner-up to Jess Jaccka at Forbury Park fresh up eight days ago, Flyin Courage may have the edge in an eight-horse field.
• Chaparella was scratched at the Southland meeting yesterday due to the heavy track. It is now intended that she resume racing in the Fireside Cup, a rating 85 1200m at Wyndham on October 26. Chaparella won the Fireside Cup on a heavy track last year at her second start back from a spell when the race was run over 1400m.
• Emma Stackhouse had her first win as a trainer when Premier Lady led all the way in a rating 85 1200m at Ascot Park yesterday.
Stackhouse won the next race with another outsider, Slick Nickel.
Stackhouse (26), the former apprentice jockey, took over the training of horses in the Woodend Beach stable of Paul Harris two months ago. Harris was suspended by NZ Thoroughbred Racing after being adjudged bankrupt.
• Anna Gillanders, the Woodville apprentice, has been suspended for three months after testing positive to cannabis. Gillanders was stood down after the positive urine test was declared on September 24 from testing at the Marton meeting nine days earlier. Her suspension expires on December 23.
Gillanders (18), who has worked for trainer Mark Oulaghan for three years, has one win from six race rides. She admitted the charge heard by Judicial Control Authority representatives T Castles and P Williams.
• Additional information for meetings today:
Racing Matamata:
Rider:
Race 1: Juggernaut Rock - S Doyle.
Scratchings:Race 1: Keepit, Damn Straight.
Race 2: Shape Up.
Race 6: Spinmyworld.
Weather, fine; track, dead (4); rail true.
Egmont RC:
Scratchings:
Race 1: Gifted Sand, King Kamada, Flat White.
Race 2: Miss Marauder.
Race 3: Our Centrefold.
Race 5: Gus.
Race 9: Holy Smoke.
Race 10: Ascolini.
Weather, fine; track, good (3); rail true.
