Stapleton takes five to Oamaru

Rakaia trainer Warren Stapleton takes five horses down State Highway One today for the Oamaru meeting. Most interest will centre around Take The Miki (Always B Miki) who last raced more than three years ago.

In Race Two he lines up Icy Stars (Downbytheseaside) who last started at Methven in early October where she finished fourth. The four year old draws the inside of the second row.

“It’s obvious, when you look at her form it’s pretty plain. She should have probably won a race by now but hasn’t. We’re happy with her but the draw is going to make it a bit harder because she’s going to settle back. She could well need the run,” Stapleton said.

Take The Miki was trained by Steven Reid and Simon McMullan when he last raced in Auckland over three years ago. The now six year old who’s won two of his six starts, has had a trial and a workout in preparation for today’s resumption. He’ll start in Race Four.

“There’s been a couple of times over the last two or three years I’ve looked in the mirror and thought, what the hell are you doing? Anyway we’ve got him there and put it this way, if he wins, I won’t be surprised. He’s our best bet.”

Scarlett Legacy (Vincent) has won her last two starts – both on the grass. The five year old has been back to the workouts since those wins and takes her place in Race Seven.

“We had to back off her and find a suitable race for her. She would have had to go in the Country Cup grade and she doesn’t go away from the stand. She then had a seasonal problem and she’s just on the way back now. She’ll go a good race but she could well need it to be honest.”

In Race Eight, Whats Wanted (Creatine) dons the Stapleton colours for the first time. He’s a half-brother to Marcoola and Judy J and just recently joined the Stapleton barn from the Ford/Tomlinson stable.

“He had a fourth at the trials, but he’ll have to improve a touch. We gave him a couple of trials on the grass and it doesn’t seem to suit him. He trots better on the crusher dust. We’re waiting to see how he goes because he’s been working well on our track. He’s a bit of a rough trotter, so watch with interest.”

Ivona Dadic (Vincent) lines up in Race Nine. After stringing together some good form in her previous five starts she got parked at her last start and faded to seventh.

“We just gave her a bit of a break over Cup Week because they’re far too good for her. She’s one speed and tries really hard. She hasn’t got a lot of lick and she’s got a terrible draw.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink