Stayer master of his own destiny
Doiknowyou’s next two starts will determine the Group performer’s winter path.
“We’ll probably head to Wanganui next Saturday and then to Tauranga for the Kiwifruit Cup and decide where we go after that,” trainer Ben Ropiha said.
“Christchurch is on the cards again, and the Taumarunui Cup is another option.”
Doiknowyou hit good form last winter and finished runner-up in the Group 3 Rotorua Cup (2200m) and the Kiwifruit Cup (2100m).
He subsequently headed to the Grand National carnival at Riccarton where he ran second in both the Group 3 Winter Cup (1600m) and the Winter Classic (1800m) seven days later.
Following a break, the son of Kashani has finished out of the money in two starts back.
“He’s a year older and he’s taking a bit more time to come up,” Ropiha said.
“It was pretty testing second-up at New Plymouth and we were going to let him roll forward, but after seeing a couple of races we decided to change and look after him a bit more.
“It was just too testing for him, but he had a week off after and he’s bounced back really well.”
Meanwhile, Ropiha believes a maiden stablemate also has the ability to progress to stronger company.
Misstumut has placed in one of her six starts and wasn’t disgraced when unplaced last time out in the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks (2400m).
“I think she’s a pretty talented filly,” Ropiha said. “She had a bone chip in her fetlock and with the help of the vet we managed her through, but it didn’t help and we took it out after the Oaks and she’ll be back for the spring.”