By Jordyn Bublitz
Rhaegal will look to continue his good form when he lines up in the Pete’s Plumbing Mobile Pace at Palmerston North today.
The son of Fear The Dragon is prepared by local trainer John Gommans and comes into the 2000m event (6.36pm) following a strong last start performance at Manawatu on February 26.
The gelding was able to show his early speed in that race, pressing forward to find the lead before controlling proceedings from the front. Once in charge he dictated the tempo and proved too strong in the run home, drawing clear to score by 2 ¾ lengths.
It was his first win at start number 10.
Although the overall time was okay, the run was highlighted by the gelding’s closing sectionals, suggesting there is still more improvement to come from the three-year-old.
Gommans is pleased with how the horse is developing.
“I really like this wee horse, I think he’s only going to get better with age,” he said.
“He’s got ability, even though they only went 2:32 he still ran his half in 57.9, and he did it out front.”
Regular driver Harrison Orange was in the sulky for that victory and will again partner the gelding in today’s assignment.
However, the pair face a slightly tougher task this time around. Rhaegal steps up in grade and has drawn barrier six on the mobile over the 2000m journey, which could make the early stages more competitive.
Despite that, Gommans is happy to leave the tactics in the hands of his driver.
“I’m going to leave things totally up to Harrison, we might try to cross them, but I’m picking the one horse (Fredastaire) will fly the gate so I’ll be leaving that completely up to the driver,” he said.
With another run under his belt and confidence from his last start victory, Rhaegal gets his chance to measure up again. If the race unfolds his way, Gommans believes the gelding is capable of repeating the performance.
“If he gets the right run there’s no reason why he shouldn’t double the dose on last start.”