3 minute read

A talented trio of David and Emma Haworth-trained gallopers will tackle feature races at Awapuni on Saturday.

Endeavour and Balham will contest the Gr.3 Hotel CouchmanManawatu Cup (2300m), while Profile steps up to Group Two company in the Kamada Park Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m).

Faltaat six-year-old mare Endeavour shaped well for the Manawatu Cup with a Rating 85 win over 2300m at Otaki two starts back before finishing on for fourth in last Saturday's Cup Prelude (2000m) at Awapuni.

Don Eduardo six-year-old gelding Balham, who won over 2500m at Hastings and 2400m at Te Rapa in consecutive starts last autumn, ran an improved fourth placing at Trentham last start.

"They are both going well. They both worked super this morning," Emma Haworth said.

"Endeavour came through the race last weekend pretty well. The track was just too firm for her but she tried hard and the rain we're getting today will help her.

"Balham has absolutely thrived since Trentham. He hadn't done much in his previous couple of races but the tongue tie helped last time. We think he was just holding his breath."

Balham, to be ridden by Chris Johnson, holds a nomination for next month's Wallaceville Estate Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham and while not entered for that race, Endeavour - who has the services of Shaun McKay on Saturday - could yet earn a late nomination with a bold Manawatu Cup performance.

"They are both up to 2300m again on Saturday and that's a positive. A dead track will suit both of them too."

Volksraad mare Profile, bred and raced by Christopher Grace, has a rating of 78 but Haworth was confident of a bold showing in weight-for-age company.

"We think a lot of her," Haworth said.

"I was absolutely gutted she was late scratched at Trentham. It was silly but there was a bit of blood in her nose [after she reared in the barriers] and they took her out.

"Coming back to the birdcage, she flipped over and twisted her stifle. She went back to Christopher's farm for a couple of weeks and we've brought her up slowly and she's now 100 per cent.

"We've got Rosie [Myers] on and she's done everything with her and knows her inside out. You can't get too confident in a big race but we're very happy with her.

"It's a big jump up in class but she's got to step up at some stage and we'll be really interested to see how she measures up."