Local gelding Heart of Gold (NZ) (Niagara) will be out to defend his crown in the $100,000 TAB Polytrack Championship (2000m) at Cambridge’s synthetic meeting on Friday, and trainer Sam Mynott believes he is up for the challenge.
The eight-year-old son of Niagara was a convincing 4-1/4 length victor of last year’s race but will have his work cut out for him in this year’s edition, having been lumbered with 62kg.
“He has got 4kgs more than last year, but he is in a really good place, so we have got to give a crack,” Mynott said.
Sam Collett will take the ride on Friday, where they will jump from barrier nine, just one gate outside of his starting position last year.
“It (draw) gives us options,” Mynott said. “We have got Sam Collett on, so that is a big positive. At the end of the day, I am not too worried about the draw, it is just going to come down to the run he gets and how good he is under that weight.”
The extra weight is Mynott’s only concern, and she believes he is an improved animal on this time last year, despite having a lighter lead-in.
“I think he is in a better place (than last year),” Mynott said. “He came in this prep the strongest he has ever looked and we did things a little bit differently.
“He has had one run into this race, where last year we did two. We have done a lot of work at home and I am really happy with him, he couldn’t be going any better.”
Following his victory in the Polytrack Championship last year, Heart Of Gold went on to compete at stakes level on the grass, and Mynott has similar aspirations this season.
“He will probably have a little freshen-up after this run,” she said. “We will certainly be going for some turf races over the spring and summer. I think he is more than capable to be winning races on the turf as well.”
On Friday’s undercard, stablemate Mister Meaner will be vying to clear maidens at his 14th attempt.
“He is probably the unluckiest maidener in the country,” Mynott said. “He is certainly ready to win, he couldn’t be going any better, so hopefully he can get the job done on Friday.”
On Saturday, Mynott will head to Te Rapa with just the one runner in Joejoeccini, who will contest the SkyCity Hamilton Mile (1600m).
“I am really happy with him,” she said. “I think it was just way too wet for him last time out fresh-up, but he has improved out of sight, and he is working super. I am looking forward to seeing him out on a slightly better track again.”
Meanwhile, stakes performer Electron has returned to the stable and is on target for a trip to Christchurch this spring.
The five-year-old mare placed in the Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) at Trentham in March before placing in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie a month later, and Mynott is hoping the daughter of Turn Me Loose can breakthrough for an elusive stakes victory this term.
“She has been back in work for four weeks and she is going super,” Mynott said. “We will just tick her along slowly. She will trial and possibly look to go towards going to the Riccarton carnival for the Group Three down there.
“We will just play it by ear, but she is looking great. I am looking forward to seeing what she can do this season.”
