Connections of 2-year-old Bruce Arthur are taking a step into the unknown in Listed Courtesy Ford Ryder Stakes (1200m) at Otaki today, but believe the trip south is worth the punt.
Prepared by Ruakaka trainers Donna Logan and Chris Gibbs for owner Kevin Hickman, Bruce Arthur has placed in twostarts to date, running second at Avondale on debut before a last-start third at Ruakaka. Both runs were on dead tracks and how Bruce Arthur handles a heavy track at Otaki is Gibbs' only concern leading into his first stakes test.
"He's very well. We couldn't be any happier with him but the question mark with him, like a lot of them, will be how he handles the very heavy conditions," Gibbs said. "We've talked to Jonathan Scully [Hickman's racing manager] and they are happy to chance our arm. We'll give it a go and hopefully we can get some sort of result."
TAB bookmakers on Thursday opened Bruce Arthur on the sixth line of betting at $13, in a market headed by unbeaten youngsters Manhattan Street at $2.90 and Mongolian Wolf at $3.80.
"He's fairly well placed in it but it's just whether he cops the track. If he can get through it, he should be right in it. He's got good form and we'll look to ride him positively again," Gibbs said.
The Ryder Stakes is likely to be Bruce Arthur's last run this preparation, though if he spells well he could be back for feature 3-year-old races in the spring.
"He'll head straight home for a month after this and we'll see how he does," Gibbs said.
