Racing: UK watch on Te Awamutu

Jayla Monet. Photo / Racing Desk

Ben Ropiha will be keeping an eye on tomorrow's events at Te Awamutu from afar.

The Cambridge trainer is currently holidaying in the United Kingdom, but he will still be following his mare Jayla Monet's performance in the Waipa Hire 1400 with keen interest.

"It's been a great break and I really enjoyed going to Epsom for the Oaks - it was a great spectacle and I had a good day on the punt as well," Ropiha said.

To be ridden by Troy Harris, Jayla Monet will be resuming after a six-month break following a disappointing spring and summer campaign.

"It was probably our own fault and her first-up run over a mile in the Karaka Classic on a really testing track at Pukekohe probably took more out of her than we thought," Ropiha said.

"We were trying to get her in the Auckland Cup, but that didn't work out so she had a break."

While 1400 metres isn't Jayla Monet's pet trip, Ropiha still expects the daughter of Any Suggestion to give a decent fresh-up account of herself.

"The distance on Sunday will be too short for her, but we'll be happy to see her hitting the line well," he said.

Jayla Money showed her potential last winter when she won consecutive races over ground at Otaki, Hawera and Ellerslie. "She can get herself wound up and be a bit of a handful, but she is a talented staying mare," Ropiha said.

- NZ Racing Desk