Astute Hawke’s Bay trainer John Bary says he has no doubt unbeaten juvenile Recite will handle 1400m in Saturday’s Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes.
Recite is a hot $1.75 favourite for the Group One race at Awapuni after winning her three starts to date, the latest being a narrow win over Bounding in the Group Two Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m).
With neither Bounding nor the Golden Slipper-bound Ruud Awakening running after finishing first and second in the group one Diamond Stakes (1200m), the race seems to be at Recite’s mercy provided she can stay 1400m.
But Bary, best-known as the trainer of Cox Plate runner-up Jimmy Choux, says the distance is the least of his worries despite the great speed Recite has shown.
“Mark (du Plessis) got off her at Matamata and said she could go a mile straight away,” he told NZ Thoroughbred Marketing.
“I can tell you it was hard to bypass the Auckland Group One when there were only six there, but it’s about looking after the filly and what’s best for her.”
Recite has drawn barrier six for the race, where she has just eight opponents.
The toughest of her opponents appear to be Diamond Stakes third placegetter Al Strada, the promising Otaki colt Touche and last-start Ellerslie winner Constellation.
Bary said the race would be Recite’s last for the season and she will be aimed at the 1000 Guineas next spring.
