All signs point to The Falcon flying in the Waimate Cup on Sunday.
One of the finds of the summer for trainers Geoff and James Dunn, the pacer heads to the Oamaru track on the back on excellent second placings behind Shan Noble and race rival Got You Covered.
Though The Falcon (Bettor’s Delight) has looked much like his powerful front-running stablemate Laver in his last three starts by leading up, driver Gerard OāReilly is certain the horse can show a lot more versatility if it is required.
āHe has been going really good and he likes the grass too, which has made him even better,ā OāReilly said.
āHe is very versatile and he has got a good wee sprint on him if they do bowl along a bit.ā
āBut he his great in front too which is always handy.ā
After missing away four starts ago, The Falcon has been exemplary from behind the tapes in his last three outings in which he has started from the unruly.
āHe has been quite good lately,ā OāReilly said.
āStanding out wide on the unruly really helps him because he doesnāt have to stand around too long waiting for them to go.
āThat has really helped him in that department.
While The Falcon is certain to start at the top of the betting for the Waimate Cup, OāReillyās has a pacer of his own that is set to start at much longer odds in race 9 owing to his formline full of duck eggs.
Having shown potential in the past, it may mean that A Rocknroll Star offers some value when he resumes on Sunday.
āHe has been a bit disappointing, he has had a good spell and come back but last time in he was disappointing.
āHe had a virus thing going on and he couldnāt shake it.ā
āBut he has had a couple of nice trials coming back.ā
āHis last one wasnāt as good but he was off colour again but we have fixed that up.ā
āHe is going in a bit fresher but he has got enough ability to be a top 4 chance.ā
OāReilly also combines with On Report, who brings two career thirds from just two starts into race 2.
Drawing on the second row over 2000m at Oamaru is never ideal, but the reinsman thinks the five-year-old can overcome it.
āHe has gone two good races so far, the draw probably isnāt ideal but I donāt think it will matter too much.ā
āHe should be running on again.ā
Shanika looks the best of OāReillyās remaining drives on the Waimate Cup card.
The Brent White trained mare won her last start at Oamaru but faces a step up in grade in race 10.
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by Jonny Turner