Trevor Cruz is warning punters not to forget about former Hong Kong Derby winner Fay Fay in the Otaki-Maori Weight-For-Age Classic.
Fay Fay is a relatively unwanted $14 chance in the race, in which Soriano, Puccini and Natuzzi dominate the market.
But Cruz, a former Hong Kong-based trainer now based in Cambridge, says his charge is in good shape.
Fay Fay was sent back to New Zealand to freshen up last year and was kept there when his owners decided he’d find it tough against rising Hong Kong talent.
It looked a good decision when he won first-up at Group Three level in Tauranga before he was well beaten in the Zabeel Classic.
“Looking back at the Zabeel Classic, strategically and tactically we could have done a few things differently that could have brought about a better result,” Cruz told NZ Racing Desk.
“The ground was probably a bit hard for him there but Otaki looks to have a bit more give than Ellerslie did, so that should suit him.”
The Otaki race has been the highest-rated race in New Zealand the last two years and with Soriano and Puccini engaged it should have a similar status again, but Cruz has no doubt about Fay Fay’s ability to match them.
“We know it’s a classy field but if he shows his best, he’s got every chance of beating them,” he said.
“His work has been good and I’m looking forward to a good run.”
