While many trainers are using Tuesday’s Wagga Wagga meeting as a lead-up to the May Gold Cup carnival, Graham Spackman is content to just poke along with Krasna.
The lightly-raced six-year-old Half Hennessy mare tackles the Community Media Incorporated Class 3 Handicap over 2000m with hard-working Jeff Penza in the saddle.
“Realistically she’s not good enough for the carnival,” Spackman said.
“I’m happy to poke around with her and find as easier races as possible, away from the carnival.
“A win is a win, anywhere.”
Krasna clashes with two promising types from the Tim Donnelly stable, unbeaten Traded and The Mallee Tiger, both carnival-bound.
“I’m happy with the way my mare’s going. She’s working well and looks well,” Spackman said.
“I was very happy with her last run. Jeff Penza got off last start and suggested she’d be better suited over 2000 metres.
“We’re on the same page there. She may still be a run short but I expect her to be doing her best work late.”
At her second run from a 112-day spell, Krasna finished a close fourth to Asclepius over 1600m at Goulburn on April 11.
Krasna is owned by Graham Fairfax from the Southern Highlands and it’s interesting to note the mare won third-up last campaign.
Spackman hopes Krasna can repeat the effort.
Traded, by Galileo, is being prepared on a European preparation.
The gelding made his debut winning over 1800m at Wagga then scored over 2130m at Goulburn in late October.
Traded has trialled leading into Tuesday and Donnelly describes the four-year-old as “an out-and-out stayer”.
Champion trainer David Hayes has several horses entered, looking ahead to the May 3 and 4 carnival.
