Gear changes for Guineas contender at Otaki

Andrew Campbell is hoping a couple of gear additions will bring out the best in Singletary (NZ) (Satono Aladdin) at Otaki, where he will need to front up to confirm a southern venture.

The home-track trainer will be looking for a turnaround in the Cavallo Farms & Chris Rutten Bloodstock 3YO from the Satono Aladdin gelding, who has been entered for next month’s Gr.1 Al Basti Equiworld Dubai New Zealand 2000 Guineas.

Singletary has already placed at stakes level from a handful of starts, but was below par at his most recent appearance at Hastings.

“He was pretty disappointing in the Hawke’s Bay Guineas, so it’s D-Day for him on Saturday,” Campbell told RaceForm.

“They went hard early and he has been plagued by bad draws. He was third in the Wanganui Guineas and he’s gone pretty well against some good horses at the trials.

“We’ll put the blinkers and tongue tie on him and drop him back to 1200 metres. Hopefully that works the oracle and we can press on down south.”

Stablemate and fellow 2000 Guineas nominee Magnate (NZ) (Savabeel) has also been nominated for the three-year-old event at Otaki, but at RaceForm deadline, Campbell was favouring a start over 1400 metres in the Aquashed Roofing Maiden.

“I really like him, I think he’s a smart horse and he’s looking for a bit of ground,” he said. “Hopefully we get a reasonable track to show he’s also on target to go down south.”

A son of Savabeel, Magnate had won both of his trials at Foxton before a luckless trip north to make his debut.

“You can put a line through his first start at Ellerslie, he was a bit green and never really got a go at them,” Campbell said.

Stable favourite Riverplate (NZ) (Flying Artie) will also bid to turn his form around in the Fastinternet.nz Handicap following his disappointing effort at Ellerslie.

“He’s been at the beach for the last couple of weeks after that poor performance at Ellerslie, I’ve got no idea what happened that day, it was dreadful,” Campbell said.

“He galloped on the beach on Tuesday morning, and he was great, so I’m hoping he’s back on track.”

Winner of the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup last preparation, a better guide to Riverplate’s weekend prospects may be his late surge two starts back to finish a close second at New Plymouth. - Paul Vettise (trackside.co.nz)