Consistent gelding Gohugo will kick-off his spring preparation at Taupo on Wednesday in the Reliable Man @ Westbury Stud (1300m).

The six-year-old son of Per Incanto has won just one of his 16 starts, but has placed on 11 occasions, and trainers Guy Lowry and Leah Zydenbos are confident he can be competitive first-up.

“He has won $60,000 in placings, so he has gone alright,” Lowry said. “He is a year older and he is nice and fresh, so he should go well.”

Gohugo has been lumbered with 60kg on Wednesday and will jump from barrier four with jockey Kavish Chowdhoory aboard.

All going to plan, Gohugo will head to his home track of Hastings on September 7 to compete on the opening day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival.

“He is getting ready for the spring carnival here (Hastings),” Lowry said. “There is a 1300m and a 1400m, and if he happened to win at Taupo he would go to the (rating) 75 1400m.”

Looking ahead to the weekend, Lowry will head north to Te Rapa with two contenders on Saturday, including Wewillrock in the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m).

The six-year-old gelding has been in good form this preparation, winning two and runner-up in three of his last five starts, including a second placing to Imwonderfultonight in the Listed City Of Napier Spring (1200m).

It will be seven weeks between runs for the gelding, but Lowry said he likes his races spaced and is hopeful his charge will feature in the finish on Saturday, with an eye towards the Gr.1 Tarzino Trophy (1400m) at Hastings next month.  

“I am happy with him. He is fit and we are hoping he will be competitive,” Lowry said. “If he went alright he will go to the Tarzino.”

Lowry will also line-up the Little Avondale Stud-bred and raced Eyegeegee in the Super Seth 1500.

The son of Time Test has won two of his five starts, including last start at Otaki in June, and is also on a path towards the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival.

“It is a nice kick-off for him over 1500m leading into here,” Lowry said.