Punters might have Prince Of Wales redhot at $2.80 for today's group one $200,000 Levin Classic at Otaki, but it hasn't been quite so clearcut for trainer Paul Moroney.
Matamata's Ballymore Stables announced the impressive Prince Of Wales a certain starter only after a cardiograph following Tuesday's final gallop.
The
talented colt had shown signs of slight heart strain early in his 3-year-old preparation before he resumed racing and Moroney intends taking no chances with the valuable youngster.
"It was a precautionary cardiograph and he came through with a 100 per cent reading," said Moroney yesterday.
"It's a normal thing we do with any horse that has previously shown symptoms of minor heart strain."
Moroney said Prince Of Wales' recovery from the Tuesday gallop had been first class.
After his stunning winning effort at Tauranga last start, Prince Of Wales deserves his favouritism.
"We're going into this race with an improved version of the horse that won at Tauranga," said Moroney.
The stable has a good record in the race. It won the feature last year with Altered Image and finished second in the two previous years with Run Like Al and Jokers Wild.
Paul Moroney sees the one draw a positive, despite the possibility of traffic problems in a very competitive race.
"One thing the draw means for certain is that he will get an economical trip near the speed, particularly if it's run at high speed.
"In this race the good horses sort themselves out by the 300m and the gaps open up when the pressure gets too much for the others and they start to drop off."
Stable rider Craig Grylls, missing at Tauranga because of riding engagements at Riccarton, is back in the saddle.
The fillies St Germaine and Zarzuela could be the biggest danger.
Both can finish strongly and if the pace is strong they will be looking to get over the top of the leaders late.
St Germaine had the blinkers on for the first time in the 1000 Guineas at Riccarton last start and got little luck.
She still managed to make ground in the closing 200m and with a better trip this time can definitely figure.
Zarzuela has tried only maiden company in her three career starts this far. But she impressed flashing home for second at Hastings over 1400m two starts back then got out late to storm to a nice 1600m win at Ellerslie on Melbourne Cup day.
She looks a top class filly in the making and can make the step up here.
The Hombre is the $7.50 second favourite at the TAB. He disappointed when only sixth (3.75 lengths) to Keyora in the Hawkes Bay Guineas.
He had five weeks away from the track and came back with a good, fast-finishing third under 58kg against the older horses at Gisborne recently.
The Hombre has the awkward No 14 barrier to overcome.
It was only maiden class that King Raedwald won in on this track last start, but he did it like a horse headed for better things.
A good inside barrier draw will assist last-start winner Pinprick in a confusing contest in the $45,000 Levin Stakes.
The veteran came back to racing with a comfortable win at Awapuni on November 10 and, under 54kg, is up to repeating against most of this field.
St Germaine is a strong each-way hope at Otaki today. Photo / Dean Purcell
Punters might have Prince Of Wales redhot at $2.80 for today's group one $200,000 Levin Classic at Otaki, but it hasn't been quite so clearcut for trainer Paul Moroney.
Matamata's Ballymore Stables announced the impressive Prince Of Wales a certain starter only after a cardiograph following Tuesday's final gallop.
The
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