Twain will be out to replicate the deeds of his dam when he heads to Te Rapa on Saturday to contest the Gr.2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m) at Te Rapa.
His dam, Fleur de Lune, was runner-up in the race in 2011 for trainer Lee Somervell before going one better a year later, and trainer John Bell believes Twain can match that feat.
The five-year-old son of Per Incanto hasn’t put a foot wrong so far in his career, winning six and placing in three of his 10 starts to date.
After posting two wins at the start of this preparation, Twain was runner-up over 1200m behind Midnight Scandal at Te Rapa earlier this month, and Bell said his gelding has felt the effects of the tough run.
“After his last start he was a little bit tired,” Bell said. “He had to go early, which was unfortunate. He was challenged on the outside and he is a very aggressive horse. Vinnie (Colgan, jockey) had to pick him up and carry him over that last stride.
“He felt it, but he has kicked back nicely.”
Colgan will once again be in the saddle on Saturday, where they will jump from barrier 11.
“He gets out of the gates and he will just sit there with a bit of cover, in the first three, four or five,” Bell said.
“He (Vinnie) rode him between races in a track gallop the week before and he was very happy with that, and he was upset that he had to go a bit early in the race at Te Rapa.
“He is a big race rider, he knows the horse now. The instructions will be – ‘go and do it’.”
Bell will head to Te Rapa with three other chances on Saturday, with Muscovado contesting the Ocean Park 2400, Manawa the Chittick Family Wishing Butcha All The Best 1500, and Cleese the Savabeel 2100.
“Muscovado was finishing over the top over 1800m at Taupo the other day, so we have done very little with him,” Bell said.
“We have got him in a 2400m and Jack (Taplin, apprentice jockey) said you will have pry me off the saddle with a crowbar. We are very happy with him.
“Cleese went a little bit wide at Te Rapa and finished fourth (last start), which was encouraging for an old boy.
“Manawa was right off the track and very wide the whole way (last start) and hit the front coming into the straight and then petered out. He was fit, but not match fit.
“I think the whole four will bring the heart rate up a little.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
