Carston sets sights on Wingatui
Riccarton trainer Andrew Carston will look to extend his lead in the South Island Trainer’s Premiership when he heads to Wingatui on Sunday.
Carston currently leads Michael and Matthew Pitman by three wins. with the end of the 2022-2023 season nearing.
Carston will take a trio of runners south to the Wingatui course, tipping Lipa Mala to be the stables best chance.
The Vadamos four-year-old backs up from a close second to Makabar in heavy conditions at Riccarton Park last Saturday, and she will likely face the same favourable conditions again with the Wingatui track rated a Heavy 10 on Friday morning.
“She went really well at Riccarton the other day, she does like wet ground and she’s going to get that again so I think she’s the best of my three,” Carston said.
The following race will feature another of Carston’s stable with Thats Charming aided by apprentice jockey Savish Khetoo’s three-kilo claim.
“He’s been a little disappointing, but he’s gone two okay races,” Carston said.
“He’s a horse I liked a lot for a long time so he’s been frustrating. But I’ve opted for the claim this week and I do think he’ll appreciate wet ground, so he’s a place chance.”
Well-travelled So You Think mare So Graceful will complete Carston’s team of runners at the Dunedin venue and having recently run third at Oamaru over the mile, she remains at the distance on Sunday.
“She’s a handy mare going honest races, I just feel the track could be a question mark for her, but it’s not a strong race so she should be a place chance as well,” Carston said.