By Duane Ranger
Ian Thomas believes Tattinger Rose can win the feature pace at Manawatu Raceway on Thursday but admits a lot will depend on the start.
“She’s not that quick out of the gate and those both inside and outside of her can get out okay, so it will be interesting to see where she ends up after a couple of hundred metres,” Richmond-based Thomas said.
Tattinger Rose will start from barrier three in the $7,500 Manawatu ITM Mobile for C2 to C6 pacers. The 6-year-old Live Or Die mare won on the track and over Thursday’s 2000 metre distance two starts back (October 15) when second favourite.
Then two days later she was a distance sixth when she got too far back in the running.
“All four of her wins have been on the track, including two over Thursday’s distance. Andre (Poutama) certainly knows how to drive her because he’s won three times behind her.
“She can win alright. It’s certainly a cheaper option than taking my horses down south,” Thomas said.
By that he meant it cost more to send his only two horses in work south because and were never guaranteed a start down there.
“I prefer racing up in Palmerston North because the stakes are okay and both my pacers will get accepted. That can’t be ensured down south.
“After this weekend both horses will return home and tackle the West Coast Circuit next month as well as local racing here in Marlborough and Nelson,” said Thomas.
The Michael House trained and Dexter Dunn driven Scanreco Bay will be the toughest for Tattinger Rose to beat.
The 6-year-old Courage Under Fire gelding will be having his first start at Manawatu but has placed five times from 12 starts over the distance.
He has also impressed winning his last two starts at Forbury Park and Rangiora.
As for Thomas’s other starter in the final event – Sioux Eyre will be having her first start.
“She’s a work in progress and has never been off the place. The mare is improving all the time but has a lot to learn.
“She ran second at the trials in Nelson earlier this month but I’ll know more after Thursday’s run. I think she is one to keep an eye on over the summer,” Thomas said.
He’s Novak and Shapeofthingstocome should prove to be the 4-year-old Elsu mare’s toughest opponents.
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