There were only six runners and he was parked out three wide for much of the race. From barrier two that won't be happening again.
Trainer Nigel Tiley has eyes for the A$1 million ($1.1 million) Emirates Stakes on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington.
Tiley has two first-start juveniles engaged at Ruakaka, Showboy and Fitzroy in the first race. "I didn't want to clash them, but there's not a lot else around for them. They are both Karaka Million horses and stakemoney for that race is critical."
Stephen McKee has some interesting runners kicking off spring campaigns, among them classy mare Moozoon in the last race.
She has not raced since finishing fifth in the 2400m Oaks at Trentham in March, a race which looked a fraction far for her.
Moozoon was unplaced at the recent Avondale barrier trials, but the track was heavier than she preferred that day. She faces another classy mare resuming in Atacama.
Vespa was last night a $1.90 chance to win the $50,000 Westbury Classic and that is probably not unders.
As the winner of $697,000 he would be giving these horses big weight concessions if the race was a handicap.
The No 9 barrier of the 10 runners is not ideal, but he has tactical speed and it will be a surprise if Mark Du Plessis does not use it.
Matamata trainers Peter and Jacob McKay will hunt down stakes' wins at two venues tomorrow.
The father-and-son training duo will produce New Zealand Derby winner Puccini in the Merial Ancare Metric Mile at Awapuni and Queen Of Navarre in the Westbury Stud Challenge Stakes (1200m) at Ruakaka.
"It would be nice to win both. That's what we are trying to do," Peter McKay said.
"Puccini is coming along well. I'm happy with him. He's all but there. I won't be upset if he finishes second or third. On class he should win the race, but he's not 100 per cent ready.
"He's capable enough over the mile, but there's still improvement in him. Last year, he took two or three runs to get to peak fitness and I'm thinking he'll do the same this year."
Encosta De Lago 4-year-old entire Puccini goes into the Merial Mile second up, having had the benefit of a Taupo trial and a first-up fourth placing over 1200m at Ruakaka last month behind stablemate Antonio Lombardo.
Safely through tomorrow's race, Puccini will tackle the $250,000 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings on October 4 before heading to Melbourne.
Vinnie Colgan takes the ride on Puccini, the only runner the McKays have at Awapuni.
The partnership is busier at Ruakaka, with five runners engaged, headed by talented Guillotine filly Queen Of Navarre in the 3-year-old feature.
"She's worked up quite nicely this week. It's come up a strong enough field but she's capable of taking it out," McKay said.
"At Taupo, I thought she should have won but she just knocked up the last 50m. She has taken improvement since then and with Vespa in on Saturday, he should jump and lead and hopefully she can take a sit just in behind."
The McKays also have Antonio Lombardo, Joey Massino, Canterino and debutante Oblivion set to race at Ruakaka.
Meanwhile, a sleep-deprived and frustrated Lance Noble will scratch Brave Centaur from Flemington tomorrow, leaving Viadana as his sole runner at the meeting.
Noble, who trains at Matamata, was gutted that Brave Centaur had sustained superficial injuries during the flight to Melbourne on Wednesday.
Noble said Viadana had come through the flight better than her stablemate, though she would still take a day to get over the travel, which took 12 hours from stable-to-stable.
Viadana will contest the A$200,000 Let's Elope Stakes (1400m), with Matamata's Craig Grylls taking the ride.
- Additional reporting, NZ Racing Desk
