Canterbury galloper He’s Gold will have the winning touch of rider Samantha Wynne on his side when he attempts back-to-back wins in the Kurow Cup today.
Ashburton trainers Danny Champion and Kezia Murphy will attempt to take the trophy for the 1400m handicap home for a second consecutive year when they line their 9yr-old up for the third run of his campaign.
He’s Gold looks ready to work back to his best form after having two runs to prepare for his cup defence.
Wynne has already hit peak form with her brilliant run through the early stages of the Christmas and New Year thoroughbred circuit across Otago and Southland.
The jockey is hopeful He’s Gold’s 59kg weight will not be enough to stop him in today’s feature.
"He has won this race before and he gets in with 59kg, which isn’t too bad.
"He is a nice big horse, so that shouldn’t worry him.
"Danny and Kezia are happy with him, so he should be a good chance."
He’s Gold has a perfect record at Kurow, having won in rating 72 company over 1400m on the track in 2016.
He’s Gold must improve on his most recent run at Cromwell where he was beaten by race rival El Bee Darci.
El Bee Darci (57.5kg) also beat He’s Gold (59kg) in their previous clash at Riccarton.
Two horses at opposite ends of the weights for today’s race opened joint favourites in the fixed-odds market.
Disturbance, who carries 60kg, was rated the $3.70 favourite alongside Xcuses Xcuses, who carries 52kg thanks to leading apprentice Kozzi Asano’s 2kg claim.
Disturbance bounced back to form after running down the track in the Stewards and Pegasus Stakes at Riccarton when third behind Ticket To Ride at Ashburton earlier this month.
Xcuses Xcuses beat Disturbance home when second at Ashburton and today meets the topweight 4kg better off than in that race.
Wynne produced an impressive win when riding Burgundy Rose to win at Wingatui on Boxing Day for trainer Jamie Richards.
The jockey has two strong chances for the former Wingatui trainer at Kurow today.
The first of them is Xplosion, who jumps from barrier 1 in race 5, a maiden over 1200m.
"We are drawn well. There are a couple in it with interesting form and some first starters, but I would think we would have an edge on them.
"I galloped this filly the other day and she feels really well."
Wynne also rides Dublin Rose for Richards in race 6, another 1200m maiden.
"It is a pretty similar situation to Xplosion, really."
"This mare has had a few chances to win, but I am hoping that Monday is the day for her.
Wynne starts her day with Meara Mary in rating 72 company over 1400m in race 1.
"This filly has put in some nice runs. If she puts her best foot forward she will be definitely be thereabouts.
"There are some nice horses in this race. For a small field it is tidy enough."
Blackbook has her second start in maiden company over 1400m in race 7 after pleasing Wynne in her first run for sixth at Ashburton.
"It was a very good fresh-up run. If she has improved from that she should be thereabouts."
Wynne has rides in all of today’s nine races.
She will also be aboard Pushyaluck in race 2, Miss Tanira in race 3, Why Me in race 4 and Devine Love in race 9.
