Sprinter chasing perfect return
Perfect Harmonee has done enough groundwork to be competitive when he resumes at Woodville.
The five-year-old will return to action after a five-month break in The Hanley Formula Autumn Sprint Championship Qualifier (1200m) with trainers Evan and JJ Rayner resisting the urge to engage an apprentice.
Understandably, they are reluctant to break a proven combination with Perfect Harmonee to be ridden by Lisa Allpress.
She has been aboard the son of Nadeem on nine occasions for all four of the gelding’s wins, including two at Woodville, as well as two runner-up finishes.
“He’s ready to go and has won two jump-outs, it’s the best he’s looked,” JJ Rayner said.
“He has to carry the weight (59.5kg), but Lisa likes him and she obviously rides him very well.”
Perfect Harmonee is a proven on-pace performer and it will be more of the same on his return.
“He doesn’t have to lead, but he’ll probably want to being fresh,” Rayner said. “He’s ready to rock and roll.”
As long as Perfect Harmonee runs up to expectations, he is likely to head to Trentham on May 26 for the Hanley Formula Autumn Sprint Championship Final (1200m).
“It’s a $50,000 race, but he’d have to go well and get a few more points,” Rayner said.
Meanwhile, stablemate Regal Winks will have a gear addition when she runs at New Plymouth on Saturday following a last-start sixth at Awapuni.
“Lisa said she got a bit lost and gawked around so the blinkers will help her, she’s been working well in them,” Rayner said. “She’ll be up to 1800m and I don’t think that will worry her.”
Regal Winks has won two of her nine starts, both on rain-affected ground.