Three-peat is the Perfect Scenario in White Robe

[Wandering Eyes]

Perfect Scenario (NZ) (Iffraaj) is right at home at Wingatui Racecourse and when he heads back to the southern venue on Saturday, he’ll aim to become the second horse in the last decade to win three-straight editions of the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Weight For Age (1600m).

A seven-year-old by Iffraaj, Perfect Scenario has an enviable record of longevity, winning 11 races since debuting as a juvenile. The gelding is a frequent member of Te Akau Racing’s Riccarton stable, where he has recorded his past two successes in the Dunedin feature.

In the new term, he has been as consistent as ever, winning twice in the spring before placing in the Gr.3 TAB Mile (1600m) and Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m). Rated 103, he has contended with the clear topweight in both lead in races for the White Robe (Listed Timaru Stakes and Listed Hazlett Stakes), but on Saturday, he’ll be back on even terms.

“He’ll be going for the three-peat in the White Robe Lodge, he’s very high in the handicaps now and he’s been lugging the big weights so it’s nice to be back at weight-for-age,” said Sam Bergerson, who trains Perfect Scenario in partnership with Mark Walker.

“He always goes out there and wears his heart on his sleeve, so he should run well. It’ll be interesting to see how the field comes up, with a big money day down there for them there should be some really nice fields.”

The White Robe is the headlining event during Wingatui’s inaugural Otago Classics Day, a lucrative card that has attracted a number of prominent northern jockeys including Rory Hutchings, who will partner Perfect Scenario.

Hutchings has already achieved success in the race back in 2015 as an apprentice, having piloted star mare The Diamond One to one of her three consecutive crowns.

“This horse has got a great record at Wingatui and Rory is going to ride him, which is a massive plus,” Bergerson said.

“He’ll be competitive.”

Joining Perfect Scenario at the meeting will be stablemates Elegant Lady (NZ) (Highly Recommended) and Family Ties (NZ) (Contributer), who will contest the Listed Positive Signs and Print Dunedin Gold Cup (2400m). Elegant Lady was unlucky not to take out last year’s running, finishing a narrow second to Shockallia.

The daughter of Highly Recommended has been in consistent form this campaign, finishing close-up fourths in the Kumara Gold Nuggets (1810m) and Marlborough Cup (2000m) before a last-start second to Family Ties at Riccarton on the 19^th of February.

The mare carried a hefty 62 kilograms on that occasion, a 6.5kg weight swing to her stablemate, who will likely get in on the minimum on Saturday should she make the final field.

“Elegant Lady will be in there, she was very stiff not to win this race last year,” Bergerson said

“Hopefully Family Ties can sneak in there on the minimum as well, she was very good on Wednesday and they both ran well so they’re going in with good form.”

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