Pump Up The Volume hasn't won this preparation, but he can change that today.
Aaja Nachle will probably get someone doing the jig after today's Marshalls Pharmacy 2YO at Te Awamutu.
In Hindu, Aaja Nachle is akin to an invitation to come dancing.
Punters won't be the only ones watching the performance of the talented filly, who will attempt to take her record to two wins from three starts.
Matamata trainer John Sargent, who does not have a runner in the race, will be paying close attention.
In the past six weeks Cambridge apprentice Alex Forbes has won on Aaja Nachle and subsequently on the Sargent-trained Fascination Street.
The connections of both fillies would like to retain Forbes for the forthcoming Listed Ryder Stakes and Aaja Nachle's trainer Frank Ritchie has first call on his services for that race.
"When I learned that I tried to get Opie [Bosson], but he's not going to be able to make the weight for the filly," said Sargent.
"Seeing I couldn't get Opie I'm prepared to wait to see if Frank's filly comes up to expectations. If not Alex will become available."
Frank Ritchie says Aaja Nachle has done so well in recent weeks she could be a fraction short of race fitness today.
The filly's winning debut was at Avondale on May 22 and Alex Forbes was suspended when Aaja Nachle tackled the Castletown Stakes at Wanganui with Darryl Bradley in the saddle. The pair led up and were run down late by Dugan, who won narrowly.
The main opposition today looks to be the Baker/Forsman-trained Orbity, winner of her last two and the ride of Opie Bosson. With Forbes claiming a 1kg allowance there will be 3kg between the pair, which should make it interesting.
For a midwinter meeting Te Awamutu has been able to assemble a card of extremely interesting races with plenty of appeal for punters.
Race 2 sees an interesting runner in A L'Orange (No5). He is only weeks away from turning 5 and will be having just his third race start today. He is a big bloke with staying potential and John Bell has given him the time he's needed to mature and the horseman deserves credit for that. A L'Orange started favourite at the recent Te Teko meet when having his first start in a year and looked more than a little unlucky. He ducked in behind another runner when apprentice Ming Cheung was attempting to push him forward, the move that almost certainly cost him the race.
The wide draw today looks ugly, but it might be the winning of the race for A L'Orange, who needs space for his long stride.
There are plenty of winning chances in Race 3, but don't discount the possibility of Cornelius (No1) winning his second from his last three starts. He was beaten by a very smart type in Kapsboy at Tauranga last time and although the 59kg will be a tough ask this time, he is right at the top of his form. A roughie for multiples could be Duncan (No5), who should be improved from his first-up Te Aroha run.
Ginga Ninja (No5, R4) is actually badly off in the weights today, but the way he won at Tauranga last start suggests he will provide a great sight. Possibly his toughest rival today, Guevara (No3), beat him half a length in an Ellerslie open handicap after which Ginga Ninja won a lesser race at Tauranga. Guevara went up just 3 rating points for that win and Ginga Ninja copped 6 points for winning the lesser race. Go figure. The net result is that Guevara is 1kg better off than when he met and beat Ginga Ninja last time. Who said handicapping is uncomplicated.
Pump Up The Volume (No1, R5) hasn't won this preparation, but he can change that today. Each one of his three runs has been excellent and you can imagine him starting his typical sweeping finish on the Te Awamutu "dummy" straight and looming to the leaders at the 220m. He deserves this.
Atom Cat (No2, R7) doesn't win out of turn, but he's going to get his chance today. That was an improver's third at Ellerslie last start and this race shapes as perfect for him. Plenty of room for an upset, though, and Matost (No4) will provide one shortly.
Locally trained Wattle Bay (No13, R8) looked good finishing strongly into second behind Wrecking Crew at Te Rapa last start and on his home track, where he has already been successful, he gets his chance to go one better. Like many on the day, Go Joelli (No6) was not suited by the conditions at Tauranga a couple of weeks back.
Sacha (No4, R8 at Awapuni) was another of those who struggled at Tauranga and her fifth to Magic Belle that day was not the worst effort.
Back on her home track, where she has won six, it should be a different story today.
