Racing: Innes set to rebound with top rides

Leith Innes urges Curtain Call (outer) to victory at the Whangarei Racing Club's meeting in April - and will be back riding at Ruakaka tomorrow. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Leith Innes can bounce back from the ignominy of being dumped by his mount Shanzou at the start of the Bonecrusher Stakes at Ellerslie last Saturday with a strong book of rides at the Whangarei Racing Club's meeting tomorrow.

"It was just one of those things," Innes said. "He went one way and I went the other but luckily both of us escaped any injury.

"It is hard to label which is the best of my mounts at Ruakaka as they are all good chances."

Innes has particularly strong rides in the legs of the Pick6 jackpot which starts in race three where he rides first starter Sacred Master.

Trained by Tony Pike at Cambridge, Sacred Master won a trial as a 2-year-old in April beating Prince Henry, who won his debut at Taupo recently.

The son of Mastercraftsman was put aside and reappeared at the Cambridge trials on September 9, beating Daifuku who has since been an unlucky fourth when resuming at Taupo on September 19. Other chances in this event include first starters Dorothy Malone, Puntinato and the speedy Snaptoit.

In leg two, Innes combines with Sacred Master's stablemate Summer's Day.

She will have her work cut out from a wide draw but has shown promise at the trials, her most recent when second at Cambridge on September 9.

Local runners are the hardest to beat in this leg. Affogato, trained by Rick Wells, resumes after last racing on May 21 and can go a bold race fresh. Kenny and Lisa Rae will saddle Overnightsensation who has been in good form and has the advantage of the inside draw.

Innes rides Itsforfree in race five, the third leg of the Pick6 and the 7-year-old is overdue a winning turn. His last performance was strong when finishing third after racing wide. Other top chances are Yes, Shamal and Fiamette.

Innes can have a cup of tea in race six with no ride. The hardest to beat here will be Delveen. She resumed at Avondale and raced near the slow inside before finishing a useful fourth. Poppas Delight is a threat after a big race when resuming covering extra ground and getting up to run second. He's Rocknroll goes well on the track and has the services of in-form apprentice Lee Magorrian, who claims a 3kg allowance.

Innes is back in action in race seven when he takes the ride on Just Call Me Ray. He impressed in his maiden win at Ruakaka two starts back and wasn't disgraced in a strong field last time. Pink Diamond can threaten in this leg after an unlucky run last time when held up in the straight. River Raider found 1000m too short last time and back to 1600m is ideal.

Innes rides Cheval Etoile in the last race and he looks the bet of the day.

He was beaten a nose on debut at Taupo on August 28 when his effort had added merit as he was caught wide throughout. He has had time to recover from the race

Kenny and Lisa Rae's duo of Kaharau and Kolaman are the hardest to beat.

One thing is for sure, last Saturday's fall will be a distant memory for Innes as he drives home from Ruakaka tomorrow night.