Greene hoping to capture home riches

Local trainer David Greene can’t wait to head to Te Rapa on Saturday where he will be chasing $1.125 million in prizemoney with a trio of runners.

“It is brilliant,” Greene said. “We have got the three runners running for $1.1 million, it is a really good indication of what has happened to the stakes in these good races over the last couple of years.”

His charge will be headed by last-start Gr.1 Telegraph (1200m) winner First Five, who will be looking to rebuff the Australian raid of Lindsay Park duo Arkansaw Kid and defending champ Here To Shock in the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m).

Greene couldn’t have been any happier with the Almanzor gelding’s Trentham heroics last month and he has been thrilled with the way he has progressed.

“He recovered well from his trip away to Wellington and it has been business as usual for him ever since,” he said.

“He goes into Saturday back at his favourite distance and in the best form of his life, so it is very exciting.”

The Te Rapa horseman said drawing his ideal barrier of four will only aid his chances against a very strong line-up.

“You need every bit of help you can get in these races. I wouldn’t switch four, it is perfect for him,” Greene said.

“This race is one of the best races every year, plenty of our best horses have won it. It is obviously going to be a difficult task for any of them and I am really glad to have a horse we feel can be really competitive in it.”