Racing: Ageless warrior Paddy set for another Metric Mile whack

Veteran galloper Authentic Paddy will contest Saturday's Boehringer Ingelheim 1550m at Awapuni. Photo / Trish Dunell

Awapuni trainer Lisa Latta is hoping it's a case of third time lucky when her group one galloper Authentic Paddy tackles Saturday's group three Boehringer Ingelheim 1550m on his home track.

The veteran galloper has contested the Metric Mile feature twice previously, finishing second in both 2015 and last year.

"He generally goes well at Awapuni," Latta said. "He has run second in the Metric Mile in two of the last three years and it looks like he is going to get in not too badly at the weights."

The nine-year-old pleased Latta with his fresh-up third placing in the group two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate, before a torrid run in the group one Tarzino Trophy (1400m) resulted in a fading 13th.

"His first-up run was really good, and I wasn't too disappointed with the performance at Hawke's Bay," Latta said. "No horse could have carried on from that.

"He drew wide and he got caught wide and the effort told. He went the way any horse would with a run like that.

"At this stage we will probably backup in the Open 2000m event at Hastings on the middle day of the spring carnival. That is what we did last year and then into the Livamol."

Authentic Paddy is the winner of 11 races from 85 starts, with a further 33 placings.

Victory in the group one Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day is his career highlight, but the son of Howbaddouwantit boasts a further five group one placings, having competed at the elite level on 22 occasions.

Meanwhile, Latta said Authentic Paddy would again race right through spring and summer, with the burly gelding known for holding his condition.

"He's at an age where you can't give him too much of a let-up," Latta said. "He just gets away on you. He certainly takes some work."

Latta said Manhattan Street was likely to represent the stable in the Rating 82 Benchmark 1200m on Saturday. The winner of four of his 20 starts, Manhattan Street finished fifth behind Art Deco at Wanganui last weekend but needs rain-softened going to show his best.

"He needs those loose, wet tracks and it can be hard to find those tracks sometimes.

"The weather has been very good, and I can see it coming well back from the heavy 10.

"I've got a nice team. Just the weather has held us up a bit, like everyone else."

- NZ Racing Desk