Pacorus ready for assault on Te Rapa

Pacorus’ quest for further silverware will be interrupted by a visit to Te Rapa on Saturday.

The Mitchelson, Egmont, Rotorua and Kiwifruit Cup winner will contest the Gallagher 1600 before normal service is resumed.

“He’ll drop back to a mile and that will keep him up to the mark before we head to the Taumarunui Gold Cup in a fortnight’s time,” trainer Chris Wood said.

“In saying that, I’m sure he’s going to be very competitive on Saturday.”

Wood’s only concern with Pacorus is his topweight of 60kg on a 54kg minimum.

“He’s not a big, robust horse and the old saying that weight stops a train is true,” he said.

“I’m fortunate my horse has got such a big heart.

“I can’t understand why we can’t have a 58kg topweight on a 52kg minimum. Horses are getting up to 60kg too quickly.”

With regard to the longer-term view, Wood is keen to take Pacorus south for the Group 3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup at Riccarton.

“I might nominate him for the 2000 metre race at Hawke’s Bay (the Group 1 Livamol Classic), but I would really like to have a crack at the cup,” he said.

Wood will also be represented on Saturday by another last-start winner in Wooden Edge, who contests the Lisa Chittick Foxbridge Plate Day over 1600m on August 16.

“He’s done everything right – he’s racing very well and he’s won at Te Rapa before,” he said.

Wooden Edge was successful in Rating 65 company at the corresponding meeting 12 months ago.

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