Riverton stayer Vamos will stay close to home over the next couple of weeks as he aims to finish a successful preparation on a winning note.
The big-striding Vadamos gelding is a specialist on rain-affected tracks, five of his seven career victories coming on heavy ground.
While there was the option of racing further north this week, his trainer Kelvin Tyler opted for tomorrow’s Auto Funds Open (1800m) at Gore and a similar contest on November 2 at Riverton where the ground will be more to Vamos’ liking.
"He’s a lovely big horse, he’s at the top of the weights again this week but I think if I brought him up here [Canterbury] on the really firm tracks, he wouldn’t cope," Tyler said.
"We’re a bit restricted to where we race him, so we’ll run at Gore and then probably head to Riverton next week for an open 2200m. After that, I might give him a freshen-up and bring him in for the autumn, looking to target some nice races then.
"He’s definitely a staying horse. When the tracks are as heavy as they’ve been he can get away with a mile [1600m] or 1800m, but he’s ideally looking for 2000m.
"He’s thriving at the moment, he’s put on weight and racing well."
Southern apprentice Floor Moerman will claim 3kg off the 6-year-old’s impost, bringing his weight down to a competitive 57kg.
Tyler has been in Christchurch over the past couple of days with his trio of contenders for Saturday’s Riccarton meeting, including Four The Moment, who will take his place in the group3 War Decree Stakes (1600m).
It all went pear-shaped from the jump for Four The Moment last start in the group3 Barneswood Farm Stakes (1400m), but Tyler has faith his homebred 3-year-old can bounce back from the run.
"He reared at the start and lost three lengths, then was hunted up and had the brakes on to slow him down," he said.
"He did a bit of work and the track was probably a bit firm for him as well — it just didn’t pan out on the day.
"We put a line through that and he’s come through it well.
"I have a lot of faith in him so hopefully he can show his best colours this week. He’d probably want to go further. He’s really matured since being up here and works around like a nice old stayer now.
"He’s doing everything right and I have no doubt he’ll get over ground."
Open-class geldings Master Marko and Prince Alby are set to take on the listed Sothy’s Spring Classic (2000m), with the latter building up to a tilt at the group3 Martin Collins 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m) three weeks later.
"Marko does his best everywhere he goes and he’s come through his run [third in Ashburton Cup] really well," Tyler said.
"I was a bit disappointed with Alby’s run last start but looking back, the firm track probably wasn’t to his liking and he didn’t seem to want to let down on it.
"I guess he’s a smart one that looks after himself.
"He had a nice gallop on the course proper and he’s well, he’s hopefully heading towards the New Zealand Cup."
Further north at Trentham, Tyler considered a black-type target for Freddie Time on Sunday in the form of the group3 Gee and Hickton Funeral Directors Thompson Handicap (1600m), but is favouring the rating-75 event over 1400m on the undercard.
The talented Time Test gelding defeated a tidy field in the identical race last Saturday, capping off a run of good form in the Central Districts.
"I was home on the couch watching and it was great, he’s a good horse and we were expecting a good run," Tyler said.
"I wasn’t too sure how it would pan out with the inside draw if the track got a bit wet, but it worked out really well.
"While he’s still eligible to run in 75-grade with a 2kg claim off down to 57.5kg, I’m swaying that way and I’d think he’d be pretty competitive. The Thompson has come up quite strong, so my gut feeling is staying in the 75.
"He’s one of those perfect horses, nothing worries him. He just eats, drinks and races really well and he’s come through it well.
"There’s no reason why he couldn’t back up, I wouldn’t think." — LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
By Jess de Lautour
