Off-season racing is proving lucrative for Warwick Farm trainer Rod Craig who heads to Canterbury with four runners hoping to keep the momentum going.
King Of Love will be on an eight-day back-up after surprising punters with his all-the-way victory at the track last Friday night.
He will be chasing a hat-trick from three starts this campaign in the Canterbury Park Hcp (1250m) as he steps up to a Benchmark 80 after his last-start win in a Benchmark 75 which followed a Class 2 win at Hawkesbury.
“He hasn’t backed up before but he’s got a new lease of life and his last win was super,” Craig said.
“He’s going up in class again but we’ll have a go.”
Craig took notice of his trackwork riders who thought King Of Love would benefit from a tongue tie to help his breathing.
“Sometimes they work but often they don’t,” he said.
“But it certainly seems to have helped this horse.”
King Of Love has led all the way at his past two starts with Nathan Berry aboard.
With Berry suspended Craig has ensured the winning photo will still look the same by employing his twin brother Tommy.
“If something else wants to lead then that’s fine,” Craig said. “He will still be up on the pace but I don’t think he has to be in front.”
Circle Of Power runs in the Canterbury BMW (1550m) after a below-par run in the Listed Festival Stakes on December 3.
“I didn’t like the way he raced that day so I got the chiropractor to run his hands over him and he was sore,” Craig said.
“He might have hit a rough spot. He’s much better now and he’s got a top jockey so I expect him to go much better.”
Nash Rawiller has the ride while up-and-coming apprentice Shaun Guymer takes the mount on Gaze In Awe in the Schweppes Hcp (1250m).
Guymer has ridden Gaze In Awe at his past two starts for a win on a heavy track at Canterbury on November 26 and close second at Rosehill on top of the ground a week later.
“Shaun is a super kid,” Craig said.
“He’s very competent, he’s good with the owners and I’m very impressed with him and the other apprentices we have at the moment.”
Craig has Sir Nick and first emergency Intermac in the Tooheys New Hcp (1550m).
“Intermac wants rain and Sir Nick doesn’t so if it does rain he may come out and Intermac will run,” Craig said.
Intermac and Gaze In Awe are both by Craig’s champion of the 1990s, Intergaze, the winner of eight Group One races.
AAP TURF
