Racing: Track to tell the story for Vincent

Vincent is expected to be competitive in the $60,000 Wanganui Guineas on Saturday. Photo / Race Images

Successful owner-trainer Warren Bolton is confident of Vincent giving a strong account of himself on Saturday, if he can get conditions to suit.

The New Plymouth horseman will be happy to let the son of Burgundy take his chance in the Listed H. S. Dyke Wanganui Guineas as long as the weather plays its part.

"He hasn't had a trial or a jump-out.

"We haven't been able to get them off the ground here like every other club in the country so he hasn't had a perfect preparation," Bolton said.

"His work has been good and he will be quite competitive on a reasonable track.

"I don't think they would beat Waldorf, who will jump and run, but my bloke wouldn't be too far behind. I think he's pretty good."

Vincent was unplaced on debut on his home track before Christmas and his only other two-year-old appearance resulted in a runner-up finish at Trentham.

Stablemate Viva Lilli was in the mix to resume in Saturday's Listed The O'Leary's Fillies' Stakes before Bolton pulled the pin.

"Her work wasn't quite up to scratch so I'll take a blood off her and wait a couple of weeks," he said.

She finished third at Trentham in the autumn in her only outing as a two-year-old.

Meanwhile, Bolton is keeping the highly-regarded I Am Poppy ticking over until there is a break in the weather.

"I'm just waiting on a turn in the tracks for her," he said.

"She looks massive and she's working well. I just want a Dead 4 or 5 for her and then she'll run in a Rating 75 over 1200 metres somewhere.

"We'll stick to the quick trips and I won't be trying to get her out to a mile or more."

I Am Poppy has won two of her four starts.

She hasn't raced since she beat subsequent group two winner Lasarla at Te Rapa last October.

A huge weight hasn't stopped TAB bookies opening Amanood Lad favourite for Saturday's $125,000 Great Northern Steeples at Ellerslie.

The veteran jumper will have to lump 71.5kg over 6400m on Saturday.

But after his last-start Pakuranga Hunt Cup win, TAB bookies have still opened him the $2.70 favourite, over Wise Men Say, who was quickly backed into $2.90 from his $3 opening quote.

Amanood Lad carried 71kg in the Pakuranga Hunt Cup but the distance was only 4900m.

Unbeaten hurdler Monarch Chimes is the $3.20 favourite for the Great Northern Hurdles, shading Central Districts galloper Kipkeino at $4.50.