Racing: Stayer will relish rainy track

By MIKE DILLON

Bruce McLeod wants to put a year of disaster behind him with Watch Officer in tomorrow's $52,000 J Martin Rotorua Cup.

In fact it is nearly two years since Watch Officer won a race, but disregard that when summing up his chances tomorrow.

The outstanding wet weather stayer went winless through last winter after contracting a virus in the early stages of his preparation and failed completely to find his form.

Although running out of wet tracks McLeod gave Watch Officer a break late last winter in an attempt to shake off the effects of the virus.

"But nothing worked. It was a disaster."

McLeod potters around with only three horses these days between rounds of his beloved golf so there is pressure on Watch Officer to buy the groceries.

McLeod admits he is not disappointed with the forecast predictions of rain and neither is Watch Officer.

"If we get what they are promising, it will be a real mess out there."

Watch Officer surprised his owner and trainer when a fast-closing third to Windsor Phew at Ellerslie last start at only his second race following a spell.

"I didn't think he was ready to do something like that," said McLeod.

The prospect of a wet track will not concern Chase Alida. He looked good winning on the very heavy conditions at Tauranga two starts back and last start was a little outpaced on firmish footing behind Greene Street in the Hawkes Bay Cup.

He is up to 57kg, which is a bit of an ask for a horse who lacks size, but his ability and current solid condition will take him a long way.

Foxman surprised with his readiness to win fresh from a break over 2200m at Ellerslie last start, but it is only fair to assume he will be fitter this time. He grinds hard to the finish, as he showed last time, and that will be important here.

Windsor Phew and Queen O' The Desert are strong chances on rain-affected footing.

The hottest favourite of the day will almost certainly be visiting mare Zapeace in the second leg of the TAB double, the $25,000 Golden Homes Rotorua Stakes.

She jumps from 52kg to 56kg under the set weights conditions, but has an outstanding record on rain-affected footing and could not have been more impressive winning at Te Rapa last start.

Durzetta will probably be withdrawn if the track turns wet and better chances in those conditions might be Amnesia, whose form is better than it appears on paper, and Latour.

Latour failed miserably when resuming at Te Rapa last start, but is back wearing blinkers and that could make the difference.