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Imported Stayer The One To Beat In Wagga Stayer Series (Friday)

3 minute read

New Aussie – Kitzbuhel – has emerged as a serious contender for the Wagga Stayers Series and he has the opportunity to further showcase his credentials on Friday.

The imported galloper did his early racing in Europe before being transferred to Wagga trainer Tim Donnelly by his owner and former Wagga man, Richard Pegum.

Kitzbuhel won at his second start for Donnelly at Wagga last Friday and the trainer had no hesitation in starting him again within a week.

"I had him nominated for this race even before he won. There is a 2500 metre race at Wagga in a few weeks on July 5 and if he didn't have this start it would have been one month between starts.

"I wouldn't normally back-up a horse up, but he is such a good eater and has done well during the week."

Kitzbuhel will again be ridden by top jockey Matthew Cahill and drops in the weights by 1.5kg for his victory against lesser graded horses last week.

The galloper was able to dictate from in front and showed plenty of fight under 62.5kg to hold on for his second career win in nine starts.

Donnelly expects Kitzbuhel to continue to improve with a couple of more potential starts this campaign before he goes for a break.

"He was only gelded early this year and I think he will improve after this preparation," he said. "If he wins again he will go up in the ratings a bit for the 2500 metre race which will mean he will have to carry a fair bit of weight again."

The trainer has hopes Kitzbuhel can acquit himself well at his next two starts then go on to a metropolitan race over 2600 metres at Randwick.

Donnelly won the Wagga Stayers series in 2014 with Jo Jo Girl who then went on to success at her next start at Randwick.

Meanwhile, Trainer Wayne Carroll is prepared to wait and see what Just Business produces first-up in the Inland Power Solutions Benchmark (1200m) before stepping him up to more suitable distances.

Just Business was impressive last campaign winning over 1600 and 1800 metres in consecutive starts at Wagga before failing at his next two starts prior to a spell. The gelding had a tendency to over-race at stages which brought about his undoing and Caroll hopes the removal of the blinkers from the horse will assist.

"He can be very strong over a distance so I have gone back to a clean slate and he will only have ear muffs on going to the barriers," Carroll said. "He is strong over a bit of ground and I'm hoping he can get up to some suitable races over 2000 metres."

Carroll added Just Business was the type of horse that would be "getting stronger when the others are getting tired".

"I think the 1200 metres will be too short of his best distance but when he gets up to a mile and beyond he will be at his best because he can keep going at the same strong speed," he suggested.

Carroll also holds hopes for Make A Right breaking through for her first win in the Iron Jack Maiden (1200m). Make A Right has finished second and a close fifth for two starts for Carroll this campaign.

"She has drawn a nice barrier in eight. She is unknown on a heavy track, but has gone through the slow going well at Albury," he said.

Wagga's track is rated a Heavy 8 for the nine-race program.


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