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A big drop in grade should see Rapa Nui back in the winner’s enclosure when he contests the Mossman @ Vinery Handicap at Warwick Farm today.
The Benchmark 70 race, over 2200m, is a big drop in grade for the four-year-old who last start contested the Listed Winter Cup over 2400m at Rosehill.
Trained by Wanda Ings and to be ridden by Peter Wells, Rapa Nui was beaten just three lengths in that Listed affair at Rosehill 18 days ago.
The effort earned Rapa Nui a Timeform weight adjusted figure of 110 for the effort and a repeat effort here will see him very hard to beat.
The four-year-old son of the Irish-bred stallion Valixir is from the Arena mare Easy Steps and is bred to appreciate ground. While he’s coming back in distance from the 2400m he contested last time, the journey today is certainly right up his alley.
The last time he raced in a Benchmark 70 class race was three starts back at Canterbury, when a narrow second behind Spice Of Life over 1900m.
He hit the line strongly on that occasion, but ran out of ground – and time – to peg back the winner.
The roomier Warwick Farm circuit and the extra 300m in this company today should see the gelding land his second win at his 20th race appearance.
The main danger today appears to be the Chris Waller-trained and Jason Collett-ridden Plenty Special who is lining-up for his fourth run back from a 132 day spell.
Also the winner of just one race previously, Plenty Special has recorded two solid placings at his past two outings.
He was beaten just over a length when third behind Oriental Lady over this trip a fortnight ago when stepping up in journey from 1850m at Newcastle on June 14.
With the run under the belt over this journey at his latest out, Plenty Special is certainly going to keep Rapa Nui honest.
The stoutly-bred Tohunga is going to give plenty of cheek with the drop back in grade.
The five-year-old son of Zabeel from the Istidaad mare She’s Justa Tad, looks the likely leader.
Prepared by Gai Waterhouse and to be ridden by Josh Parr, Tohunga was a last start fifth behind Space at Rosehill over 2400m on July 5.
He’ll roll forward again from barrier five and despite having the steadier of 60.5kg is going to be hard to hold out.
Good luck and good punting.
