Well-performed short course specialist Wewillrock gets a gilt-edged opportunity to add to his record on Friday as the end of his current campaign draws to a close.
The son of El Roca will drop back from stakes company when he steps out in the Risk Management Group Handicap (1200m) at Te Rapa with apprentice Liam Kauri’s 3kg claim benefitting his cause.
Wewillrock also has a strong record on the course with three victories and a third placing in the Gr.3 Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) to his credit.
His two unplaced runs on the track have come in the last two editions of the Gr.2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m), although he was less than three and a-half lengths off the winner Bonny Lass last month.
“He wasn’t far away in that field, they were in a different class really and this race suits him a lot better,” said Guy Lowry, who prepares the six-year-old with Leah Zydenbos.
A drop back in company has the stable more confident about his prospects on Friday.
“He’ll be a good chance and he’s been working well so fingers crossed for a good result,” Lowry said.
“He’s got up in the weights quite quickly and probably only another win away from having to stick to weight-for-age.”
Wewillrock has won seven of his 22 starts and is in the right order to take advantage of one of his remaining chances prior to a spell.
“We’re just taking it one race at a time with him and he probably won’t be in for much longer before he has a break,” Lowry said.
“He’s the sort of horse that enjoys the soft tracks, but not heavy. Either side of spring and autumn is his time.”
The stable will also be represented by Anaroa in the Fleet Image Mile (1600m) and Eyegeegee in the Craigs Investment Partners Handicap (2100m).
“Aneroa was disappointing here (Hastings) on the first day to be fair so we’re hoping he can turn things around on Friday,” Lowry said.
Eyegeegee was also well back in his latest assignment on his home course, but didn’t have all favours in the running.
Meanwhile, Lowry is expecting his best chance of success on the second day of the Hawke’s Bay Spring carnival to be in the NZB Ready to Run Trainers Series Premier (1200m).
He will be represented by The Stoney One and Candle in the Rating 75 event on the Group One undercard.
“The Stoney One probably needs a bit of give in the ground and Candle is definitely a strong chance,” he said.
The former was unplaced on a good track on the first day of the meeting and has come on with that resuming outing while Candle was also out of the money after missing the start and finished off strongly in the run home.