Ballymore to Deal Strong Hand at Te Rapa

The stable is running red hot on both sides of the Tasman which means we are looking forward to the five strong team that will step out at Te Rapa tomorrow headed by impressive last start two-year-old winner Wonder Woman (pictured).

Breaking her maiden on debut over 800m at Avondale, Wonder Woman (Showcasing x She’s Invincible) looks well placed to extend her winning record, but will have to compete with several runners that have the raps on already!

“She’s improved a lot since her first run, and I think she will have to be against this quality of field,” co-trainer Pam Gerard said.

“We have the services of Lisa Alpress, which is a big help, and we know this filly has plenty of fight about her so we are looking forward to tomorrow.”

The second runner is The Heat Is On (Sir Percy x Burning Desire) who drops back to the 1600m as he has shown he may just not quite be strong enough to see out the 2000m+ distance, but has been working very well leading into tomorrow’s race.

“He looks super and his work has been great, but he just needs to put it on the track and show us he can be competitive. He is still maturing and growing, but eventually he’ll make a nice stayer.”

Sororia (Iffraaj x Yolanda) is more likely strike a looser track, to which she will be well suited to, and the ace barrier draw should see her get a nice economical trip in the running.

“This looks a suitable race for her and from the draw I think she will prove hard to beat. There are some nice horses in the field, but I think she’s up to it,” Gerard said.

Should Sororia put her hand up tomorrow, she may warrant a trip down south for a tilt at the Group 3 Winter Cup over 1600m.

Promising and consistent filly Keep On Coming (Shamoline Warrior x Keeper Coming) is another who looks well placed to be very competitive when she contests the J Swap Rating 65 event over 1400m and will also have the services of inform rider Lisa Alpress.

“She’s racing out of her skin at the moment and I wouldn’t be surprised to see her run a ripping race tomorrow,” Gerard said.

“She’s taken improvement from each outing and her fitness levels are now right up there, so we are expecting a tidy performance.”

Bugle Call (Tavistock x Starina) is the final runner for the team and will line up in the Rating 65 event over 2100m in the last race on the programme.

Having run an agonisingly close second placing at his last outing, on the same track, Bugle Call should find the step up to 2100m ideal – especially after the way he found the line last start over 1600m.

“His coat is beaming and I don’t think we’ve had him looking better,” Gerard stated.

“Tomorrow looks the ideal race for him and his final gallop on Tuesday morning was extremely pleasing – we just hope the track doesn’t deteriorate too much by the last race.”