Waka returns home for second-up test

[Wandering Eyes]

Impressive debut winner Waka has returned home to Surrey Farm, near Bulls, ahead of his second-up assignment at Wanganui on Saturday.

The three-year-old son of Hello Youmzain was born and raised at the Rangitikei property of owner-breeders Christopher and Susanna Grace, whose familiar gold and green colours he carried to a dominant debut victory at New Plymouth last month.

Trainer Mark Forbes was pleased with the win and said the gelding will continue to improve with time.

“He has shown us a lot at home. He has still got a lot to learn so he is only going to get better with racing,” the Cambridge horseman said.

“He had a week off after his last start and he seems to be coming up well, I am happy with his track work.”

Waka will be ridden by Kelly Myers from barrier five in the La Nuova Dry Cleaners 3YO 1200, and Forbes said his charge has travelled down well ahead of his weekend assignment.

“He is back where he was born and raised,” Forbes said. “He is out at Surrey Farm, which is only 40 minutes to the racetrack, so it works out perfect. He is in an environment he knows and he seems to have travelled down well, so I am happy.”

While Waka holds a nomination for the Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) on Champions Day in March, Forbes said he will more likely be aimed towards the Windsor Park Stud 3YO Trophy (1500m) on the Ellerslie undercard.

“There is a 1500m race that will suit him a lot better on the same day,” he said. “We will just see how he goes tomorrow and make a decision after that.”

Forbes will return north on Sunday to head to Ellerslie where he will line-up last-start winner Perfect Habit in the Elsdon Park 1200.

“His last start win was very impressive at Wellington. The sectionals were phenomenal for the last 600m,” Forbes said.

The Tivaci gelding will be seeking to go back-to-back on Sunday, with his performance dictating whether he returns to the Auckland track in a fortnight to contest the Gr.3 Cambridge Stud Almanzor Trophy (1200m).

“Barrier one is bit of an awkward draw for him,” he said. “Hopefully there is enough tempo in the race, but we are trying to get a line on him on whether we push onto the Almanzor or find a softer path for him.”

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