RACING
A frustrating run of minor placings may nevertheless have primed Share The Blame for a win at Trentham tomorrow.
The 6-year-old son of St Reims is lining up in race 2 at the Otaki Maori meeting and looks to have many factors in his favour despite strong opposition that includes four last-start winners.
Trainer and part-owner Gerald Innes will be satisfied with the draw as Share The Blame has been allocated barrier 3 but perhaps the biggest factors to consider here are, one, the gelding is dropping back to his favourite distance of 1200m and, two, he should get track conditions to suit.
Share The Blame loves it heavy and, at last call, Trentham was expected to be just that.
His last five starts have seen Share The Blame finish no further back than fifth; the best of these being a second to St Ransom at Awapuni in late July.
For the shorter journey - Share The Blame has been tried at 1600m recently - Innes has opted for the services of veteran hoop David Walsh.
Walsh is the recognised expert when it comes to front-running and if that's not a hint as to how Innes wants the race to pan out then I don't know what is.
In race 3, Tauherenikau trainer James Phillips has accepted with the tongue-twisting-named Zedeedudadeeko.
The 5-year-old gelding has had only a handful of starts for an impressive win - at Wanganui on a heavy 10 on July 11 and two minor placings.
His maiden win showed Zedeedudadeeko has the promise to win further races and, to some extent, his only start since, at New Plymouth, can be discounted. The gelding was held up at the turn and couldn't get back into top gear until it was too late to make a real impression.
Despite that, he finished up midfield in the 14-horse field and could easily make amends tomorrow.
Opaki trainer James Wallace will be taking two to Trentham, Rapt In Gold in race 4 and Running Late in race 5.
Both are chances but Running Late looks the best of the pair.
He won convincingly on rain-affected footing at Awapuni and has drawn the ace.
Aaron Bidlake has Vitaari Girl in race 4, a mare who has had only one race day attempt and who failed to flatter.
The main race of the day will be the Ruakawa Cup and, in this, Wairarapa has a real chance.
Kylie Little has accepted with her sturdy galloper Sea Eagle.
Anyone who saw the mare's winning effort in the mud at Trentham on July 13 would have to agree she certainly doesn't lack courage.
But that slog probably dulled Sea Eagle a shade and, when she stepped out at Hastings, she didn't fire at all. Look for rapid improvement tomorrow.