Racing: Rain dampens odds at Ruakaka

Vespa (left) is having his first start since winning at Ellerslie on March 8. Photo / Chris Loufte

Trifecta may be the way to go in Spire Sprint -- and Puccini could be vulnerable at Awapuni

Just when we thought we'd left weather behind as a weekend punting consideration, rain will be the determining factor for Ruakaka and Awapuni today.

In Ruakaka we have the country's best wet weather surface -- sand -- but looking at the weather pattern, rain might still be enough to put a question mark over a couple of high-profile heads.

One of them could be Albany Reunion in Race 7, the Spire Sprint. He needs to overcome a weight disadvantage with his victor of last start, Antonio Lombardo, who might have an advantage if the track becomes choppy. He has only once been beaten on rain-affected tracks and has won four of his five starts at Ruakaka. The right way to go might be the trifecta. Yes, the odds will be short, but better than backing a loser.

Vespa (No1, R6) at Ruakaka is perhaps the most interesting runner all day. Last season's champion juvenile is having his first start since winning at Ellerslie on March 8, and he hasn't had a trial, but the word around the traps is that he is well forward. He's won on a slow track and also been beaten on one, so he's a bit difficult to assess, but class will carry him a long way. And it will with Prince Mambo (No2) as well. He is a genuine customer, but will need to be taken on trust if the track gets very bad.

The 3kg claim on Celtic Chief (No7, R3) is likely to prove influential. His form is useful on all types of surfaces and with 51kg he should take some holding out. Canterino (No1) narrowly beat Celtic Chief last start and meets him even better in the weights this time.

Only a small field in Race 4, but it's tricky. No reason why Silver City (No1) can't be hard to deal with. With Sam Spratt in the saddle he's going to carry his full 59kg and he's almost certain to improve with the first-up race, but as a three-race winner he's not too badly off. The trifecta could go any one of six ways, but Kalevala (No5) should turn in a good race fresh from a handy draw.

McKee apprentice Alyssa Schwerin lacks experience, but not horsemanship. If she does everything right on Freedom (No3, R5) he could be hard to beat in a tricky field. He hasn't won at Ruakaka in six starts, but he's been four times placed. Gwynedd (No7) and Her Choice (No8) are great trifecta chances.

Unsure about the track, but on a level playing field Vavasour (No8, R8) looks a great prospect. She is so smart she could be worth the risk even if the track gets downgraded. She is worth following. Cheval Etoile (No1) won't be long in maidens.

If you want to follow a couple of horses through this meeting and into the spring, Atacama (No10, R9) and Moozoon (No11) are the ones. Classy mares with the likelihood of a good spring and summer ahead. They are both resuming though and certain to be improved for the road trip to Ruakaka and the race. Secret's Only (No8) has the advantage of having already had a race this prep.

The rain is spreading from the north and how much of it gets to Palmerston North to affect what yesterday was a perfect track is problematical. If enough of it arrived it might be sufficient to question the chances of the favourite Puccini (No6, R9) in the $70,000 Merial Ancare Metric Mile. He would be vulnerable if the footing got too slow.

?Sam Spratt will be reacquainted with an old friend today when she resumes race-riding at Ruakaka.

The 29-year-old jockey returned from her overseas travels during the week and will team up with the Group One performer Little Wonder in the Spire Sprint at the Whangarei meeting.

She has ridden the close relation to the former people's champion Sir Slick in all six of his career wins, including the Group 3 Darley Plate, and a third placing in the Group 1 Railway Stakes.

Little Wonder hasn't raced since May, but he has a handy first-up record and was placed at the Avondale trials earlier this month ahead of his return.

With son Cody, Spratt spent the last four and a-half months in the United Kingdom and picked up a handful of raceday rides for a couple of placings. She also had the opportunity to ride work for top trainers Richard Hannon and Brian Meehan.

Spratt stayed with her brother Neil, who is a prominent eventing rider and rode for New Zealand at the recent Burghley Horse Trials.

She has enjoyed a long and successful association with Little Wonder's trainer Stephen McKee, for whom she won last season's Group 1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes aboard O'Marilyn.

The O'Reilly filly will make her seasonal debut in Saturday week's Group 3 Hawke's Bay Breeders' Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings.additional reporting: NZ Racing Desk