By BARRY STREET
You have to admire Okiwi Bay, a hobby horse for Ohaupo owner-trainer Bob Marshall.
Twenty times to the races for 17 cheques is Okiwi Bay's career record - not bad for a galloper who cost only $500 as a yearling.
On tracks firm to heavy and over distances to 2100m he has four wins, four seconds, six thirds and three other stake-earning minor placings.
Provided the footing tomorrow at Pukekohe is not puggy, win No 5 for Okiwi Bay could come in the Franklins Bathroom Stakes.
The last time the Kinjite 5-year-old raced in this country he handsomely won a class three 1600m at Te Rapa in May.
His owner-trainer then decided to escape true winter going, opting for a Victorian campaign, which resulted in two thirds from three starts.
The most recent of those was at Mornington a month ago.
According to Marshall, the whole venture was like stepping out of fat into a fire.
Okiwi Bay got no relief from puggy tracks and, to all appearances, was pleased to get back home.
Marshall would prefer a track soft or loose.
"Actually," he said, "I'd have to say the footing that suits him best is that with the sting out of it.
"He was placed in a Taranaki interprovincial race [1600m] in which they ran 1:33, so firm tracks are not against him.
"He also doesn't mind ground worse than soft, though not puggy."
Leith Innes has been Okiwi Bay's jockey on most occasions and will be back aboard tomorrow.
"The horse's work has been good, so I expect him to give another good account," Marshall said. "He'll be trying. You can bet on that."
Being fresh from a let-up should not count against Okiwi Bay, who has three wins fresh-up.
Topweight Creme De Honor and Cervant loom as the horses to beat in the Franklins Bathroom Stakes because of their good recent form and, more especially, their liking for the roomy Pukekohe track, and its long home straight.
On a track not much worse than soft, Coast To Coast could also unwind strongly.
Racing: Well-performed Okiwi Bay deserves respect
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