Wood hoping to strike gold with maiden gelding

[Wandering Eyes]

Cambridge trainer Chris Wood has had a high opinion of That’s Gold (Lucky Vega) for some time, and he is hoping he can realise that potential when he attempts to break through for his maiden win in Wednesday’s Donaghys Moxipor (1150m) at Te Aroha. 

The son of Lucky Vega had seven starts for Wood as a juvenile, running fourth in the Listed Counties Challenge Stakes (1100m), and Wood is hoping he has more luck with the gelding as a three-year-old. 

“He showed me a lot last time in, things just didn’t go his way,” Wood said. “He has got plenty of ability, he is a good mover, so hopefully things fall into place.” 

That’s Gold trialled earlier this month where he was runner-up in his 850m heat at Te Awamutu, and Wood believes his charge is on song to perform first-up. 

“He is nice and bright, and he has trialled up well,” Wood said. “He has had a bit of practice and knows what he is there for. It is quite a nice little maiden field, but I expect him to run a race.” 

All going to plan, Wood has some lofty ambitions with That’s Gold this season. 

“We will set him for the big three-year-old races if he is going good enough,” he said. “That will be my aim.” 

Wood will also head to Te Aroha with Emmy Dazzler (NZ) (Embellish) and What A Yarn (NZ) (What’s The Story), who will contest the Donaghys Tasman TIM (1600m) and Donaghys Butch Coombe Memorial Cup (1400m) respectively. 

“Emmy Dazzler has been running well consistently,” Wood said. “She has got Sienna Brown (stable apprentice jockey) on and gets four kilos off, so I expect her to be very competitive.  

“Her last couple of starts have been on the poly, but she has raced well at Te Aroha previously. I think she will be a nice each way bet. 

“What A Yarn trialled up nice and has worked well since. I expect a bold race fresh-up.” 

Meanwhile, Wood is looking forward to heading to Te Rapa on Monday with Canheroc (NZ) (El Roca), who will have his final hit-out over 2400m before heading to Christchurch next month to contest the Gr.3 Martin Collins 162nd New Zealand Cup (3200m). 

“He went a good race last-start at Rotorua (when fourth in the Staphanos Classic, 1950m),” Wood said. “It was a bit of a slowly run race and we had to go a little bit earlier than what we wanted. He worked as good this morning as he has worked this time in and I think he will be very competitive there. 

“From there it is on to the New Zealand Cup. I don’t think we will run both days, he just needs the one run into the Cup. He is booked on the second flight going out of Auckland, so everything going right he will just be down there for the Cup.”

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