Journalists Wandering Eyes Posted June 21 Journalists Share Posted June 21 Lofty’s Gift (outside) will be vying for her fifth straight win at Riccarton on Saturday. Photo: Monica Toretto Southland trainer Robert Dennis is making the long trek north to Riccarton with two contenders for their Saturday meeting, including Lofty’s Gift who is shooting for her fifth straight win. Lofty’s Gift transferred to Dennis’ Ascot Park barn earlier this year from Cambridge trainers Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray, running fourth in her Southland debut before putting together a picket fence form line. “It is pretty exciting to have a horse going for five wins in a row,” Dennis said. “In a way she drops back in grade but it is probably a more competitive field than what she has been beating. “She has come through her racing really well, I think she is going as good as ever, she can get through those (Heavy 10) track conditions, so I think she has got to be a good chance.” The daughter of Ghibellines has been lumbered with top weight of 60kg but will get the benefit of apprentice jockey Donovan Cooper’s claim from barrier four. “Donovan’s claim gets her down to 57 kilos,” Dennis said. “There is not a big spread in the weights with the minimum being 55kg and the max is 58.5kg. She is about smack bang in the middle, and I am happy enough with her weight for her rating.” Saturday will be her furthest trip away from home since being based in the south, but that poses no concern for Dennis. “She obviously travelled down from the North Island when she came to us. We are on the way up (to Christchurch now) so we will see how she gets on overnight, but with her attitude and nature I don’t think it will be a worry,” he said. Dennis is excited about the future with the mare and is eyeing some big spring targets with her if she continues on her upward trajectory. “We will just see how we go on Saturday. Talking with the owners, maybe we target a New Zealand Cup (Group 3, 3200m) in spring,” he said. “It is exciting to be gunning for five wins in a row, so we will concentrate on tomorrow first and work things out from there.” Lofty’s Gift is being joined on the float trip north by stablemate On Song, who is looking to recapture form. The four-year-old mare won two consecutive races before finishing seventh and ninth in her last two outings, with Dennis believing the Heavy track conditions will be ideal for her this weekend. “She wasn’t bad last time, she wasn’t too far away, she was stuck out wide, and she missed the kick,” he said. “She is certainly looking for the 1400m. The track at Wingatui played a lot better than the Heavy 8. The wetter track at Riccarton will bring her right into play.” Meanwhile, on Thursday Dennis was happy enough with Magic Ace’s placing in the Harold Pateman 65 (1600m) at Oamaru. “A bad draw (10) was his undoing,” Dennis said. “He jumped out really well and found himself four-wide on the speed the whole way. It was a hard run, but he stuck to his task well and it looks like he will get over a bit of ground and shouldn’t be far off from winning a race.” Horse racing news View the full article Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.