Maybe Maimi seeking competitive racing heat
GIFTED gelding Maybe Miami is likely to hit the road earlier than originally planned in it bid for group one honours after the racing team struggled to find suitable build-up races.
The Riccarton galloper has been set for the Tarzino Trophy at Hastings and the harsh southern winter has made the task of getting him ready a tricky one for trainers Kevin and Pam Hughes.
Kevin Hughes said that the horse’s track work has been adequate, but it is no replication for competitive racing.
“It’s been difficult with the terrible weather we’ve had,” Hughes said.
“He done enough ground work, but he needs a suitable lead-up race to sharpen him up.
“At this stage, we’re going to go up early for a race at Otaki and, all going well, on to the Tarzino after that.”
Thought had also been given to running Maybe Miami in the Group Two Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate in a fortnight’s time, but the trainer believes the trip is not worth the effort.
“We looked at that, but it’s just too big a journey to get all the way to Te Rapa,” he said.
Maybe Miami is a dual stakes winner having won at Listed level in the Timaru Stakes and in the Flying Handicap at Awapuni.
On previous northern forays, the son of Iffraaj finished fourth in the Group Two Manawatu Challenge Stakes and fifth in the Group One Haunui Farm WFA Classic.
“He’s a good traveller, in fact he seems to get better on the road.”
“He never misses an oat.”
While Maybe Miami has won once over a mile, the gelding is seen as a specialist 1400m performer.
Hughes believes the horse can win over the 1600m mark, but would prefer to keep the gelding at that trip.
“He may go further this year, but 1400 is his best distance,” the trainer said.
“He likes to run just off the pace and then he can get home strongly.”