Riccarton Park’s synthetic track is proving popular with local trainer Lance Robinson, and he is looking forward to racing on the surface on Wednesday with a handful of runners.
Robinson is impressed with the prizemoney on offer at the midweek meeting, with two of his runners competing for $19,000 in one of the four MAAT races, while the remainder of his representatives will be vying for a $25,000 stake in their respective contests.
“It’s (prizemoney) terrific, and on the synthetic track it is great,” Robinson said.
“We would hardly have any horses racing this time of year, but because of the synthetic track we have got a lot more horses in work. It has been able to help us get horses up for the spring and it is a huge plus for us.”
The Riccarton horseman will kick-off the meeting with Devil In Disguise and In Awe in the Cup Week Hospitality On Sale Now MAAT (1600m).
Devil In Disguise has been in red-hot form, winning one and placing in four of his last five starts, while In Awe will be looking to improve on his last start runner-up effort on the Christchurch polytrack last month.
“Devil In Disguise won his maiden and has done everything right,” Robinson said.
“He went really well fresh-up over a mile the other day. He gets the two-kilo claim with a good draw (4), he should be very competitive.
“We will get him through the grades and then might have a look at a better race at the Cup meeting for him.
“In Awe only got beaten a nose in his last start. Take Devil In Disguise out and it is much the same field that he ran against the other day.
“He gets a kilo less and he should be right in it. He has done well.”
Robinson will also have a two-pronged attack in the Dave Ferriman 50 Years Huntsman Christchurch Hunt Rating 76 (1400m) with Anneliese and Boot It Scooter.
“Anneliese went very well first-up over 1400m on a heavy track,” Robinson said.
“She has had a nice three weeks in-between. I think the synthetic will really suit her. She has got a nice draw (8) and I expect her to run really well.
“It is a little bit stronger field for Boot It Scooter, but he has got a good draw (5) also. He is running well, he ran a third and a fourth in his last two starts.”
Robinson’s quintet will be rounded out by last start winner Establishment in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 82 (2200m).
“He won well the other day. He is a horse wanting better tracks,” Robinson said.
“We have decided to back him up on the synthetic because the tracks are pretty wet around here at the moment, so we will go again.
“He will race on Wednesday and then have a three-week break. We will get him racing through the spring and then onto the Cup meeting hopefully."