Rating issues for Teaz stable runners tonight

Local harness racing trainer Jason Teaz has four horses he loves all facing the same problem at Cambridge tonight.

Teaz was on a golden run with the likes of Brookies Jaffa, Noble Count and Ultimate Moment a few months ago and all three start tonight as well as a smart maiden mare in Ima Sportyangel.

The problem with golden runs is they cost you ratings points and Teaz, well known as a broadcaster as well as a trainer, says his stable stars are now paying the price for the earlier form.

“I knew when I was winning a few races with them that it had to come to an end because they started winning their way up the ratings too quickly,” says Teaz.

“Horses like Noble Count and Ultimate Moment went from being rating 39 horses to a 51 (Noble Count) and Ultimate Moment got to rating 59 and then the problem is they end up starting off handicaps.

“That doesn’t suit either of them because they both like to run on the speed.”

Both faces starting behind their rivals tonight as Noble Count is on the unruly for race eight after some recent rogue behaviour while Ultimate Moment is off a 10m handicap in race 4.

“Ultimate Moment loves 2200m racing so this race would really suit if he was on the front line as he was pretty good last start against horses like Dream Of You and Resolve.”

Brookies Jaffa (R11 tonight) faces not only being a rating 66 horse but there being smart horses coming through the grades he has to give starts to, like recent conquerors Dontstopmenow and Miki Shan.

“He has been a great horse for me with 13 wins but I think he struggles in summer because he doesn’t like the hard tracks,” says Teaz.

“It is not because he doesn’t have the speed for them, it is because they jar him up, which is one reason he races so well in winter.

I am working really hard on it but I am not sure it is a battle I am winning. If he produces his best this week I think he has a real show.”

While all three of those horses at least have reasons for giving their rivals a start tonight in the case of maiden mare Ima Sportyangel it is just bad luck.

“She has copped a bad draw in quite a nice field but she has real ability.

“She wasn’t broken in until she was three and she has had some issues but I really like her and think she will win races.

“I am not sure whether it will be this week because I will tell Fergy (Peter, driver) I am happy for her to be driven a bit prettier as I don’t want her having too many hard runs early in her career.

“But I know she can do a job and I have some other nice horses coming through in the 14 I am working so it is quite an exciting time.”

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by Michael Guerin, for Harness Racing New Zealand