Racing: Northern raiders relish West Coast

Lisa Rae believes Champagne Rose could have a good shot at winning race five. Photo / Michael Cunningham

Maybe it's because their horses arrive at the carnival a run or two short, or embrace the famous West Coast hospitality with even more enthusiasm than their trainers.

Either way, Ruakaka co-trainer Lisa Rae is expecting lightning to strike twice in the same place at Omoto today, the final meeting on the coast's summer circuit.

This time last year Rae and her trainer partner, father Kenny, were the stars of the holiday season roadshow with a hat-trick of wins with Classic Kanga, Cassius and Kandy Lane.

Lisa Rae reckons the signs are there that she may come close to matching that feat today with a small team of northerners firing on all cylinders.

"I'm not exactly sure what it is but we're improving again as we're going," said Rae from her "working holiday" base of Greymouth yesterday.

The Raes bagged two winners at Hokitika on Wednesday - Street Law and Danvinsky - and Lisa Rae is confident the momentum will continue in Greymouth, the team's base since arriving on the coast on December 27.

She rates the in-foal Street Law a standout to make it a double in race seven, the R75 1100m.

Rae says the Street Cry five-year-old hasn't left an oat since her impressive win mid-week and she "couldn't get her any brighter".

"I'd be surprised if she didn't run in the money," she said.

Rae is also confident of a big run from their once highly rated mare Champagne Rose in race five, the R70 1600m.

The Thorn Park four-year-old was considered classic material early on but had a leg injury setback, and then failed to fire on a Riccarton-based campaign last spring.

Rae said her two runs on the coast so far, for sixth on New Year's Day at Waikouaiti followed by a fifth at Kumara on January 8, indicate she's ready to strike today. "I think she could win," said Rae. "Look at the way she's been coming home in her last two races and she's galloped really good since."

Promising three-year-old Sourire (race two) and experienced campaigner Apatchee Tute (race four) are also solid each way chances for the stable.

Rae said it wouldn't surprise her to see Sourire rattle home again, as she did in her debut at Waikouaiti.

The step up to 1500m should also be a huge help to the Choisir filly. "She acts like she doesn't know much, but she really flies home. She'd be a good place bet."

The New Zealand Racing Board is donating 5c from every off-course punt at Omoto today to help raise funds for the community in the wake of the Pike River Mine disaster.