3 minute read
Kelvin Tyler’s annual working holiday rolls around like clockwork with the Cromwell Racing Carnival, a weekend he is looking forward to with nearly a dozen horses engaged across the two days later this week.
Based at Riverton, Tyler has endured plenty of inclement weather over the past couple of months and will be greeted by a much firmer racing surface on Friday than experienced in the south of late.
"It's really good to get away from the weather we've had down here, the track is always in really good condition and it's a nice change of environment for horses and humans," Tyler said.
"We normally go up for the weekend, get a house and have a good time away. We're taking a few of the staff up and enjoy ourselves, with a bit of racing in the meantime."
Tyler will bring a mix of experience and up-and-coming talent to the Central Otago meeting on Friday, headed by Albatross in the Girl On The Ground and Urban Fencing (2030m).
The daughter of Sacred Falls won three in a row through the spring period and finished third to Spot On Time over Cup Week, and after finishing back in last Sunday's Winton Cup (1400m), Tyler is happy to test her over the middle distance.
"It's always hard to judge a run at Invercargill because there is a frontrunner's bias normally, but maybe she's lost a bit of her freshness and looking for some more ground," he said.
"It looks not an overly strong field, so she has a good chance."
Albatross will be joined by stablemate Vamos in the contest, who was a dominant victor two starts back at Wingatui, before working hard early to finish midfield in a strong Rating 75 at Riccarton.
"He probably did a much too much early in that race, getting out of the gates quick and setting it up for the back runners," Tyler said.
"It's hard to find a race for these 75 staying horses, so this was the only suitable one around. He seems good and he'll be a runner's chance."
Tyler is looking forward to the return of consistent mare Go Lotte across the weekend, but he is unsure whether she will be seen in Friday's Catalyst Performance Clare Memorial Cup (1220m), or the KB Contractors Open (1400m).
A winner of eight races, Go Lotte has been most dangerous in the 1335-1400m range, which may sway Tyler's decision.
"We'll definitely only start the one day with her, I'm not sure which one yet and 1200 is probably a bit sharp," he said.
"I'll see what the track's like when I get up there and make a decision, but she's doing really well and always goes well fresh. I think she'll be in for another good season."
Vadamos mare Radiant Reach has always showed plenty of promise, and Tyler is hopeful she can give herself every opportunity when contesting the Greg Jopson Property Brokers and Chatto Creek Tavern (1400m).
"I can't fault her really, she's just got to get out of the gates," he said.
"We took her to the jump-outs and she actually jumped really well, and beat a tidy field of horses. If she can do everything right, she'll take a bit of beating I believe."
Tyler's younger contingent will include the well-related More Sass in the Jackson Smart Roofing and Omakau Auto Centre (1220m) and Indie Ardie in the Fowler Decorators and Versatile Cromwell (1400m), with the former coming out of an open three-year-old contest won by stakes performer Lil Zena.
"She (More Sass) got really lost up there at Riccarton, she just got back on the inside and panicked," Tyler said.
"We've changed some gear on her so hopefully that will help, she should take a bit of beating as well."
Earlier in the week, Tyler will be keeping a close watch on the Otaki meeting on Thursday, where his talented galloper Lightning Jack will make his final Group One preparations in the Bobby Foundations Backing Kiwi Legends Mile (1600m).
The eight-year-old gelding was an impressive fourth in the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) at Matamata in early October, and finished in the same position in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) last-start.
"He's just the same every week old Jack, he's just a darling of a horse," Tyler said.
"He's pretty hardened to the travel now, but he just loves it up there. Lorraine and Howie (Mathews) spoil him rotten, they do a really good job and I'm very appreciative of that. He's a no-hassle horse, nothing bothers him and he's the kindest horse you'll get.
"He's got a bit of weight off his back tomorrow and he'll go around with 58 which isn't a bad weight for him.
"It's a nice hit-out for him, his next race will be the TAB Mufhasa Classic (Gr.1, 1600m) next Saturday and this fitted in well. He was meant to run there (Trentham) last week when the races were called off, so this was our back-up plan.
"He's working really well during the last wee while and by the sounds, he's on track."