MONDAY SEPT 30
By GRAEME WHITE
Talented sprinter Take The Rap has another strong challenge ahead at Wagga on Monday, but that may not be enough for him to be denied in the Renovators Warehouse Wagga Country Boosted Benchmark 58 (1000m).
The current $3.20 favourite on the NSW TAB has only raced three times for two wins which have both been at Wagga with regular jockey Matthew Cahill aboard.
Take The Rap was successful in a stronger than average Class 1 when resuming and trainer Norm Gardner feels the three-year-old only has to overcome a softer track to be right in the finish again.
The course is rated a heavy eight but has improved with warm weather and winds over the past couple of days.
“That is the unknown with him, but if he gets through it I think he is a strong chance,” Gardner said.
“He has actually improved a bit more from his first run and I expect him to be a nice horse for us in the autumn.
“We bred him and he comes from a good family – his half relations are Lethal Lady and Devine Miss – who were both good for us.”
Gardner had a sizeable offer to sell Take The Rap from Hong Kong interests after his Wagga victory which fell through.
He is now hoping the galloper can keep up his end of the bargain by providing many more wins and hopefully n better company.
Take The Rap has drawn a little wide, but Gardner expects him to make use of his speed and be prominent from the outset.
“He has plenty f gate speed and sat wide first-up and still win so I’m not worried that he is drawn out a bit,” he said.
The top weight Finn’s The Icon resumes for trainer Kerry Weir whose son Sam races the two times winners who looks the type who will keep improving with each racing preparation.
He won consecutive races last campaign including one at the Wagga Cup carnival and will carry 59.5 kilograms after the claim for apprentice jockey Glenn Cahill.
Xspiritous was an impressive last start winner, while Trifecta Ruby ran on well for third first-up.
Tropical Breeze failed first-up this campaign and trainer Danny Beasley has given her plenty of time between starts and added blinkers for the first time.
Meanwhile, trainer Darrell Burnet will be keeping a close eye on his Wagga runners from afar on Monday.
Burnet has four two-year-olds competing in the breeze up sessions at Hawkesbury and five horses racing at Wagga.
Educating the young horses is a major part of Burnet’s business, while he also trains a string group of horses.
He will have last start winner Kermandie River, Liquor Talk, Divine Conclusion and then debutant Fire Your Guns and Hot Toddy in the same race.
Kermandie River was an easy winner at Wagga and appears the best of his chances.
“He has pulled up well which is why I’m running him nine days later,” Burnet said.
“Liquor Talk is racing well – his run two starts ago was very good. He had to do a bit of work last start and the return to Wagga will help him,” he said.
“Fire Your Guns won a trial and will be better after a couple of starts and Hot Toddy has been good in his jump outs and I would prefer a firmer track for him.
“Divine Conclusion is first-up and was good in his first two starts before he ran on what turned out to be the worst going last start.
“He has had a spell and I’m happy with how he is shaping up.”
