Racing: Irish jockey free to make own decisions

Cambridge trainer Ralph Manning is confident he can square the ledger with visiting Irish apprentice Stephen Wilson at Paeroa today.

Manning admits he's to blame for Wilson missing his first New Zealand win after issuing lead-at-all-cost instructions aboard Rags To Riches at Te Rapa on March 18.

The 19-year-old became trapped in a tearaway duel with Star Of Rio that day and under the circumstances Manning said the pair did well to hold third behind Orpington and Pentazia.

Manning said he won't be making the same mistake when he legs his promising 4kg claimer aboard Rags To Riches in his final Easter Handicap trial today.

"It was my own fault at Te Rapa - it was Stephen's first ride for me and I didn't think anything would take him on," said Manning.

"The horse doesn't have to lead, but if nothing else wants to, he might as well."

Manning, however, expects Captain Butler to set the pace today with Wilson and Rags To Riches sitting just off his shoulder.

If Rags To Riches runs up to his summer form over 1600m it should then just be a case of Wilson releasing the brakes.

The 5-year-old flashed home late to dead-heat for second with La Sizeranne behind Cog Hill in the $100,000 Rich Hill Mile at Ellerslie on January 1.

He never got a crack at them next time out at Avondale over 1400m, then struck traffic problems again in the Thorndon Mile at Trentham a week later when Manning felt he was racing below peak fitness.

"Vinny [Colgan] stood up on him near the line but he was still only beaten four lengths in the Thorndon," said Manning.

"If things go right for him he's going to be a huge chance in the Easter Handicap, especially when you know he can cop all types of tracks."

Aside from Tadan, Rags To Riches faces opponents today well short on Easter class and with a 4kg claim he'll carry 3kg less than he did in the Thorndon.

Manning has also been impressed with what he's seen of Wilson in the six weeks he's been at his Cambridge stable.

"He's got very good hands and a bit more vigour than most of the kids starting off," he said.

Manning has two other winning chances today with first-starter Flirtatious in race four and Waotu Sands in race six.

Dual trail winner Flirtatious has shown she can gallop at home.

Manning's only query today with the first-starter is over whether she can handle a rain-affected track.

Waotu Sands, however, is a course and distance winner who will relish the give in the ground. "He should scare them. He's only had two starts for us; beaten a short neck first up and then he didn't handle the hard track."