Our Genes may capitalise on an inside draw to win the open 1100m race at Omoto today.
A rain-affected track will not deter Our Genes, who has gained 12 of his 18 wins on soft or heavy tracks.
He ran Big Red to a long neck over 1150m on top of the ground at Kumara last Saturday. He meets Big Red 0.5kg better in the weights today. Our Genes won a 1600m race at Omoto in 2009. Amelia Denby retains the mount.
Big Red was unplaced at Hokitika on Thursday after missing the start. Lee Callaway, who rode him at Kumara, is back in the saddle. Big Red is also a proven performer in wet ground.
Philip Turner sprained his wrist and sustained bruising in a fall in race 2 at Paeroa yesterday. His mount, Redemption, clipped a heel near the 800m.
He missed three rides at Paeroa and he will not ride at Ellerslie today or Hawkes Bay tomorrow.
Alex Forbes was suspended from January 22 to 27 inclusive for careless riding yesterday. Forbes, riding La Pinnacle, was found to have shifted in at the 800m checking Abundantia, Diamonds In Time and Ellie'o.
November Rain travelled to Palmerston North yesterday for the open 1400m. Pukekohe trainer Jason Collett made the decision after assessing the tracks at Ellerslie and Awapuni.
She is using the race as a lead-up to the Thorndon Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.
