Denby (23) accepted for two rides tomorrow, but Perfection's failure to handle the heavy track at Riccarton on Thursday means she is likely to be be scratched from the female riders' rating 65 1200m, leaving Denby travelling south from Christchurch for one ride.
But Stormpatrol's form is almost as red-hot as Denby's. The pair combined at Winton on May 17 to finish second equal in a 1400m open handicap, and teamed up again to win a rating 75 level at Gore on May 21.
Denby's last day of riding - at Riccarton on May 24 - produced two winners, while her sole ride at Gore on May 21 was Stormpatrol in winning form.
She cannot pinpoint any reason why she is kicking home the winners, other than getting to know the horses.
''I am really happy. My form of late has been quite good,'' Denby said.
''I guess when you go through patches of not riding many winners, if you keep on the same horses, they get into good form, and all my horses are coming into form at the same time.
Denby, who is apprenticed to Michael Pitman, has now ridden 62 winners as she nears her fifth season of riding, and she reduced her claim to 1kg after reaching 60 winners.
Stormpatrol's win at Gore may have been on a dead track, but Denby said his heavy-track form of one win and two placings from seven starts was more than adequate.
''He won impressively last start on a slightly better track, but its form shows it handles the wet, too.
''I think a lot of people were impressed by the way he finished it off. He's not out of place in open class for sure.
With Perfection and Ripple both unlikely starters after struggling on the heavy Riccarton track on Thursday, seven horses will line up in the female riders' race. Four of the starters are trained at Wingatui.
UpdatesAdditional information for meetings today.-
M2 Auckland RC
Riders:
Race 6: Second In Command - no rider declared
Scratchings:
Race 7: Donna Diva
Race 8: Acapela, The Shackler
Weather, overcast; track, heavy
11; rail, out 3m.
M4 Wanganui JC
Scratchings:
Race 1: Joe Bonanno
Race 2: Miss Clawdy
Race 6: GoldmistW
eather, fine; track, slow
8; rail, true.
