Racing: Mare will cope - Judd

Photo / Richard Robinson

Clark Judd describes Tudor Bubble as "a tough bitch".

It's the premier quality the Cambridge mare is going to require if she's to win her fourth straight race in tomorrow's $70,000 Merial/Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni.

It's a heavy (11) track that will test the courage of each of the 14 acceptors.

Judd is reasonably confident Tudor Bubble will cope with the conditions because of one race the mare had last year.

"I took her down to the Winter Championship Final at Awapuni last year and on the morning of the race Lisa Latta told me the track would be a heavy 14.

"She finished second to The Brown Bomber. The track was virtually bottomless and she handled it well. She went straight through it and had no issues."

Judd is more concerned about how the toughness of the conditions will affect the stamina index of the race.

"I believe the 1600m is right at the end of her distance capabilities.

"I'm worried that the very heavy track will make it more like a 1700m race.

"She won over 1600m at New Plymouth two starts back, but that was only a slow 9. This will be a lot more testing than that."

That's where sheer guts will come into play.

"Man, she's tough. She was gone before the corner at Otaki last start, but she just kept giving."

Judd sees the wide barrier as an advantage and will leave tactics up to his rider, Darryl Bradley.

"I do my bit, it's up to the jockey once they get out there."

Locally-trained Yourhavinmeon has won six races at Awapuni, all over tomorrow's 1600m distance and all on heavy tracks. That amounts to statistical heaven, particularly as he comes in here with just 52.5kg.

There is no doubt weight will be one of the deciding factors of this race.

Spare A Fortune was gutsy in winning at Hastings last start. He has not raced at Awapuni and has yet to win as far as 1600m, but in his current form he'll give it a good shot.

Salvatore is perhaps best on slow tracks, but he manages and his touch of class will carry him a good way.

MERIAL MILE
* Tudor Bubble steps up yet another grade, but is in the right form to go close again.

* Trainer Clark Judd is hoping the mare can see out the 1600m on a very heavy track.

* Locally-trained Yourhavinmeon has won six races here on heavy ground.