Four of Otago's best will head to Riccarton for the listed Easter Cup tomorrow. Matt Smith considers their prospects.
THE SOLITAIRE
Trainer Steve Anderton says the draw of 14 is not ideal, but she should come into 12 if the ballots are scratched.
''She will slot in somewhere midfield and she can run on from there.''
Spacing her runs two weeks apart means Anderton has had to do very little with the mare, who will carry 57kg.
''She had half a mile on Tuesday, but I'm really just ticking her over.''
Anderton has engaged Rosie Myers for the ride.
''She's a good rider and she's winning races all the time. She had ridden The Glitzy One two or three times and the [Dennis] boys were pretty keen.''
Horse to beat: Natuzzi if he settles over the mile, or the Lisa Latta-trained Platinum Princess.
RIC O'SHEA
Trainer Steven Prince was philosophical after jockey Kylie Williams admitted to an average ride on the son of O'Reilly at Wingatui on March 9.
''She came back and said, `I didn't ride him any good for you.' That was all right - these things happen.''
Since the run for sixth at Wingatui, Ric O'Shea has pleased Prince with his dedication to his track work and training.
''He pulled up well after there, and worked well all the way through. I can't fault him. There's going to be a bit of speed on in the race with Petty Lane, so that will help him.
Horse to beat: ''The [other] three from Wingatui.''
NATUZZI
The Paul Richards-trained Natuzzi has drawn the extreme outside gate, and will start from barrier 16 after scratchings.
''It's not a help from out there. Chris [Johnson] will just have to try and overcome that,'' Richards said.
Natuzzi enjoyed a brief break after his win at Trentham on March 16, although there was a slight ''hiccup'' this week, Richards said.
''He pulled a shoe on Tuesday afternoon and had a bit of heat in his foot, but we think we've got that right.''
Horse to beat: Richards said all three Otago rivals were quality horses, but Platinum Princess ''gets in extremely well'' at the weights, carrying only 53.5kg.
RIDLEY
Trainer Joanne Hillis tried something new this week with the progressive galloper, Ridley, after his slashing run for fourth at Riverton on Saturday - she took him to the beach.
''He's gone to the beach a couple of times ... and he quite liked it,'' Hillis said.
''I was a bit nervous thinking, `What's going to happen here', but he was good.''
Hillis is happy with the handy draw of 4, and jockey Darryl Bradley did not hesitate in making himself available for future rides after Ridley's win at Wingatui on March 9.
''After he got off at Wingatui, he more or less asked for the ride whenever he was going [to the same meeting],'' he said.
''He followed up on the ride, so that made it easier for me.''
Ridley will have a break after tomorrow's run regardless of the result.
Horse to beat: Natuzzi or Platinum Princess. TAB fixed odds prices for the Otago runners: Natuzzi $4.50, The Solitaire $5, Ridley $8.50, Ric O'Shea $10. Favourite: Natuzzi.
