A lack of suitable options has forced Cody Cole’s hand with unbeaten mare In Extasy to resume at Hastings on Wednesday, despite a wide barrier.
The in-form Matamata trainer will rely on jockey Matthew Cameron to work his magic aboard the daughter of Exosphere from the outside gate (12) in the Bramwell Bate Lawyers Handicap (1200m).
The five-year-old is one of a quartet of runners for Cole at the Hawke’s Bay meeting where he will hope to add to his recent Central Districts tally after a winning double at Trentham on Saturday with Kind Thoughts and La Verite.
“There’s not much else for her, I don’t think Te Rapa will suit her so we’ll suck it up see what happens,” Cole said.
“Whatever she does she will improve plenty, it’s been a long time between runs but she is forward enough to give a good account if Matt can get some luck with her.
“She’s a lovely mare with plenty of ability, although she’s had her fair share of issues. It’s been one thing after another, but nothing really major.”
Bred by Cole’s mother Lou and raced with Social Racing, In Extasy was a debut winner at Rotorua and following a lengthy break was successful at Tauranga last autumn.
“She shied at the winning post and still won so there’s certainly plenty of ability there, she’s just got to keep learning to be a racehorse,” Cole said.
“She’s not going to go through life unbeaten, she’s not professional enough yet to keep stringing them together.”
Cole will also be represented by Four Square Pete in the Betta Asbestos Consultancy Maiden (1400m), Born Ruler tackles the HB Saracens Maiden (1600m) and Kai Moana will step out in the Betta Property Compliance Maiden (1200m).
“He’s (Four Square Pete) quite a nice staying horse by Zed and is going to improve a fair bit with time,” Cole said.
“He’s got a good group of owners and they really want to get a horse to the Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) and he’s probably one who could be a chance of getting there.
“He’s definitely got ability and he trialled nicely at Taupo, he wasn’t screwed down and did it the hard way after being three wide in the open.”
Tarzino filly Born Ruler had little luck when unplaced at her New Plymouth debut last month.
“It was no fault of Joe Doyles, one came back on her and dragged her back and when she did get going she got held up again,” Cole said.
“There’s was a bit of merit in her run and her work has been really good. I quite like her chances, even though she has drawn out a bit and hopefully Matt (Cameron) can overcome that.”
Cole’s other representative is the Sweynesse mare Kai Moana, also to be partnered by Elliot, and she finished fifth at Rotorua on Sunday.
“She’s going to back up and still wants to do a fair bit wrong, but there’s some ability there,” Cole said.