New Zealand
Gemma Flitz out to upset the applecart in Polytrack Final
All eyes will be on the John and Karen Parsons-trained trio of Tumuch, La Bella Nera and Miss Brittany in Wednesday’s $100,000 Polytrack Championship (1200m) at Riccarton, but fellow local hope Gemma Flitz will be out to spoil the party.
The Ross Beckett-trained mare sealed her berth into the race with victory over 1200m at the track last month. The now seven-year-old daughter of Telperion had been knocking on the door, placing in her previous four starts, and Beckett was pleased to finally get a winner's cheque.
"We needed to win that to run in the $100,000 race this week," Beckett said. "She is well in herself and she has been racing well."
Gemma Flitz will be ridden on Wednesday by stable apprentice Donovan Cooper, who will need some luck from barrier 13.
"Her draw is right against her, but it is what it is, so we just have to get on with the job," Beckett said. "But it is really good to be racing for this sort of money on the poly."
Following her mid-week test, Beckett said Gemma Flitz will likely have one more run before being prepared for New Zealand Cup Week in November.
"She doesn't like wet tracks, so we might just give her one more start on the poly in a fortnight and she will have a wee freshen before Cup Week," he said.
Beckett will also be represented on Wednesday by homebred Wanderin Spelle in the Racecourse Hotel & Motor Lodge Rating 65 (1600m).
The Yaldhurst trainer has plenty of time for the four-year-old gelding, who has won and placed in his last two starts.
Beckett was confident of a bold showing this week, but Wanderin Spelle's wide draw of 20 quickly quashed those hopes.
"I am very disappointed with the draw. I thought if he drew five or six he would win it," Beckett said. "I think he is well above average and he just needs some luck from there."
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