Robert Dennis looks set for a lucrative meeting at Wingatui with an in-form team on Sunday, headed by open sprint handicap prospects Chevron and The Hangover.
The Ascot Park trainer is enjoying a breakout season with a personal best of 32 winners and stable earnings of nearly $930,000.
He has several chances to further his tally with former northerner Chevron and The Hangover both appealing as strong chances in The Mosgiel Tavern Handicap (1400m).
The former placed in his first two appearances for Dennis before a comfortable win over 1600m at Riverton under apprentice Yogesh Atchamah, who will again take the reins.
“He’s done really well since he’s been down here and improved with each run,” Dennis said.
“He never gave the others a look in last time, the same rider sticks and he’s well in at the handicap with only 54.5kg.
“Dropping back to 1400m shouldn’t worry him and provided he gets through the track, he should be a really good chance.”
The Hangover is rarely far from the action and was runner-up to race rival Go Lotte on the course in the Beaumont Cup before a close fifth at Riverton, where beaten less than a length. He will be partnered by Billy Jacobson.
“He’s there or thereabouts he’s very consistent and we’re pretty methodical where we race him,” Dennis said.
“He likes his races spaced and likes a little break at the farm between runs. He tries his best and should do the same again on Sunday, he should handle the track, and we’ve got a good rider.”
Jacobson will also continue his association with Sir Sterling in the Positive Sings + Print Handicap (1600m) following their victory romp at Riverton.
That came as no surprise as they had been placed in their previous two outings together.
“He’s up just 1kg on his last start win and, barring one or two horses, it’s a similar strength race to what he beat,” Dennis said.
“We think he has come on really well and he could reach some reasonable heights in the South Island.”
Dennis will kick off the day with Mackenzie Lass in the Nellies Restaurant & Bar 2YO (820m) and, while respectful of two-time winner Cool Aza Rene, expects a decent showing from his filly.
“She had a jump-out two weeks ago and won it dominantly and Billy (Jacobson) came down and rode her at Wingatui,” he said.
“Obviously, Te Akau’s horse has all the experience and has winning form, so he’ll be very hard to roll but I think going forward to her three-year-old season, our filly will be a pretty handy horse.”
He also likes the future prospects of last start runner-up Taihoro, who is not a certain starter in the Speights Maiden (1300m), but is one to follow.
“Whether we run or not on Sunday I’m not sure, we’ll decide closer to the time,” Dennis said. “He’s obviously only just had a fresh-up run on a testing track and I think he’s going to be a very good horse.”