Grass track three-year-old trots might not be the traditional path to Group One success, but today’s Orari meeting may prove to have a major impact on the age group for the remainder of the season.
A lot of that lays with which version of exciting young trotter, Enghien turns up.
If the best version arrives on the green surface, then the race should become a fait accompli – but if he doesn’t, things become a little bit like open slather.
Last season’s two-year-old colt and gelding trotter of the year has produced a mixed bag so far in his three-year-old season with a stunning fresh up win at Addington late last year, undone with a late gallop when looking likely in the Hambletonian Classic at Ashburton earlier in the month.
That’s put the pressure on his trainers Greg and Nina Hope to get things sorted with the well-bred gelding.
“He’s come through Ashburton ok,” Greg Hope said.
“I guess we just have to wait and see which one will show up, we know what he’s capable of if he does it all right.”
The son of Love You has the advantage of having placed on a grass track back when he ran second at Methven last season behind Habibi Inta – so the Orari surface shouldn’t prove too much of a foil for him.
With some major assignments ahead of him, gaining confidence will be a big boost for the camp.
Off the second row Enghien does have to contend with a decent field in the $10,000 event including Hambletonian runner-up Muscles Galore and last season’s two-year-old filly of the year, Di’z Luck.
The Gavin Smith trained filly was very good fresh up at Rangiora and with natural improvement and a good draw she may prove to be the horse to beat for Enghien.
Super Selector – By Matt Markham
Race 1: Whataboyz, Moment Of Kaos, Princess Harbour, Scarlet Bromac
Race 2: Sharknado, Sky City King, Master Jordy, Garry’s Legacy
Race 3: Fear Rockn, Supreme Banner, Dying To See You, Enchantee
Race 4: Free Bird, Tijuana Taxi, Monkey Luck, Glenis Marie
Race 5: Mickey Gee, Unico Legend, It’s All Over Now, Clarendon’s Last
Race 6: Shadow Galleon, Missie Castleton, Chivasion, Native’s Lasting Love
Race 7: Trailer Park Girl, Jemima Franco, Crystal Slipper, Scotlyn Made
Race 8: Enghien, Di’z Luck, Muscles Galore, Firenze
Race 9: Tahlia Franco, Ok I’m Bad, My Cash, Star In The Future
Race 10: Errol Finn, Franco Tmick, Cimarron, Wozniacki
Race 11: Franco Texas, Clive, Scotty’s Image, Highview Freddy
Best Bet: Mickey Gee (Race 5)
Value: Sharknado (Race 2)
