Mr Fix It will not have started for 5 1/2 weeks when he makes his middle-distance debut in the $20,000 Rangitikei Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni tomorrow.
However, the Truly Vain gelding has won first-up on the fresh side over 1400m already this season, and that should hold him in good
stead.
A step from 1600m to 2100m for the first time might seem a huge task after such a break but trainer Wayne Herbert likes the horse's chances.
He said Mr Fix It had become very relaxed in his racing and had been looking to go over more ground for quite a while.
Mr Fix It has won five of his 17 races to date and, after a fresh-up win over 1400m at Awapuni in November, he finished sixth in Country Rose's Challenge Stakes at the Manawatu Christmas meeting. Three days later he was fifth in the Summer Cup (1600m).
Eleven of Mr Fix It's 17 career starts have been at Awapuni and he has chalked up three wins and two seconds on the course. His other wins were at Hastings and Otaki.
Woodville apprentice Thomas Russell is reunited with Madison Mary in the Rangitikei Gold Cup because the mare's regular rider Tracy Collis is injured with a broken left collarbone and fractured right wrist.
She suffered the mishap in a training accident last Monday and could be off the scene for a couple months.
Russell rode the mare before Christmas in the group three Gasmate Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa, finishing fast for fifth behind Giovana, Star Satire, Integrate and Amnesia.
Riccarton apprentice Andrew Taggart will be riding at the meeting for Awapuni trainers Peter and Nikki Hurdle.
Taggart, who is sixth equal apprentice on the national premiership with 20 wins this season, has been in fine form since Christmas.
He is engaged for the Hurdle runners Aadee's Lass and Copper, while Noel Eales has snapped him up for Yachting Magic.
Two apprentices from the north are on hand, Lynsey Hofmann down for three rides, while Laura Woods rides the Graeme Rogerson-Keith Hawtin trained Zomp in the class two 1200m.
Darryl Bradley, recently back from a stint in Malaysia, did not ride on Wellington Cup day, but has a respectable book of rides tomorrow.
He is engaged for the Colin Cromarty-trained stablemates Merrin Jane and Atro, impressive Wairoa maiden winner Evenstar and the promising Semper Fidelis.
Jim Walker resumes from injury with four rides, two of which command respect - Charmeel and Rose Of Dublin.
- NZPA
Racing: Relaxed ways should see Mr Fix It do well
Mr Fix It will not have started for 5 1/2 weeks when he makes his middle-distance debut in the $20,000 Rangitikei Gold Cup (2100m) at Awapuni tomorrow.
However, the Truly Vain gelding has won first-up on the fresh side over 1400m already this season, and that should hold him in good
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