Maiden winner heads to town

With only weeks remaining in the current racing season, trainer Rhys Archard reasons now is the time to come to town with last-start maiden winner Warakurna.

The three-year-old heads to Sandown on Saturday to contest the ive> Handicap (1400m), provided the track is not too wet.

On Thursday the track was rated a Soft 6, going that Archard said would be OK for his gelding.

Warakurna registered his first win, at start number three, when successful at Swan Hill last Friday under Laura Lafferty who will have the mount again on Saturday.

Archard said as Warakurna was still a three-year-old, now was the time to come to town where first prize, including VOBIS money, will top $100,000.

He said even running second, or third, offers a good dividend.

“He’s only three once and there’s only five or six weeks left of the season,” Archard said.

“We would probably rather stay at six furlongs (1200m), but there was nothing around in the next fortnight for him.

“It was either wait three weeks or go to Caulfield for another three-year-old race over 1400 metres or go this week on the eight-day back-up.

“The way he pulled-up after Swan Hill, all is well, but it is all dependent on track conditions whether we go there or not.

“He prefers it on top of the ground. He’s a big striding horse and if it was shifty, it wouldn’t be very economical for him.”

While Archard would have preferred Saturday’s race to be 1200m, he said the 1400m on Saturday would not be a concern given the quick turnaround.

“The 1400 metres, off the quick back-up should be no issue, but if it was three weeks, then it may be,” Archard said.

“In time I think he’ll get a mile, but not this prep.

“Ridden cold, hopefully he will get the trip on Saturday, and we’ll see where we are at.”

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