One of the most talked about Gr.1 Trackside New Zealand Derby (2400m) candidates faces his first acid test over a staying distance when he tackles the Listed Trackside Gingernuts Salver (2100m) at Ellerslie on Sunday,
With a six-week gap between two of summer’s major weight-for-age middle-distance features, trainers of leading candidates have taken a variety of approaches to their preparations.
Waitak was a class above his rivals in the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Ellerslie on Saturday, completing a spring Group One double in the early stages of what might be a career-defining season.