Racing: More luck wanted

Number 11 Mark Du Plessis, rides Marotiri Miss to a hard fought victory during race 7 Twilight Xmas at the races. Hawkes Bay racecourse in Hastings. Photo / Hawke's Bay Today

Foxton trainer Richard French is hoping for a little more luck with consistent mare Marotiri Miss when she tackles the Listed Manawatu ITM Anzac 1600 at Awapuni today.

French was confident he had the 7-year-old mare in peak condition for her last run at Trentham, however she was held up when searching for a run in the home straight before finishing powerfully for third.

"I thought she would be very hard to beat at Trentham but she just didn't get any breaks in the home straight.

"She was blocked at least twice and when she finally got out she powered home in the worst part of the track for third.

"She pulled up as though she hadn't had a race and has worked nicely since, so I'm hopeful we can get our slice of luck this time."

With the Awapuni track rated a Slow (7) leading into the meeting and rain forecast for raceday, French is confident of another good showing from his charge.

"She loves it when the track gets loose so any rain will assist her although she will need to get things in her favour as there is a lot of depth in the field," he said.

While French doesn't have a definite plan mapped, he is keen to see her step up in distance. "She has been a very good performer up to a mile but I think 2000m won't be an issue for her so we will be keeping that in mind when we look at a programme over the next few months.

"We will see how she progresses through the winter but I'm also keen to tackle the Winter Cup again as she went a cracker for second last year."

— NZ Racing Desk