Racing: Last chance to end frustrating run

By BARRY STREET

Trainer Kevin Gray will rely on the riding skills of Peter Johnson and Darryl Bradley to bring him better luck in the feature races at Te Rapa and Trentham tomorrow.

Gray has Volkaire representing his Waverley stable in the $15,000 Summer Glow Apiaries 1600 at Te Rapa and sees the race as probably the horse's last chance this season to break a frustrating run of near misses.

He also has the equally luckless Country Rose going for group three honours in the $45,000 Cuddle Stakes at Trentham.

"I can't believe my luck lately, especially with barrier draws," Gray said from the Levin races at Otaki yesterday.

Volkaire will start from No 18 with Johnson up in an 18-horse field at Te Rapa and Bradley will attempt to go forward from the widest spot on Country Rose in a strong 17-mare line-up at Trentham.

Gray said his luck began to turn sour after Volkaire won at Te Rapa five months ago.

Lack of racing room counted against the consistent 5-year-old in at least two of the richer 1600m of the new millenium.

Then followed seconds to Resonare in the group three Thompson Handicap at Trentham and to Cinder Bella at Awapuni.

Poor weather twice kept Volkaire in his box after the DB Draught 1600 at Awapuni on March 25.

"All I can say is that Volkaire is very well and looks a picture, even though he hasn't raced for a while," Gray said.

It could also be said that the field he is in tomorrow is not nearly as strong as those he lined up against during the summer.

"At least, with his having drawn so wide, he shouldn't have any traffic problems," Gray said. "Peter Johnson will know how to handle the job.

"The same sort of applies with Country Rose in the Cuddle Stakes.

"She's been checked in nearly every race she's had since Christmas, so her wide draw could be a blessing in disguise.

"Who knows? At least she's got the top jockey - Darryl Bradley."

With the exciting Great Northern carnival at Ellerslie only a month away, the northern jumps racing scene hots up tomorrow.

The dashing Bob Dobalino has has two recent flat races to ready him for a 400m steeplechase at Te Rapa but may not have matters all his own way against the likes of Fair Brother, Reb's Shu and, despite his big weight, last year's Jumper of the Year, Kildary King.

Two hurdles races are carded - one as a Waikato extra, jetbet 11.

Little Bro, a recent tearaway winner over hurdles at Pukekohe, will ensure a strong pace over 2400m in the $12,000 extra race, the Export Meat Warehouse Hurdles.

In pursuit of Little Bro in a prelude to the Waikato Hurdles on May 20 and TV Guide Hurdles at Ellerslie on June 3 will be Mr Speaker, who is unbeaten in his last five races, the latest over hurdles at Hastings.