Home track advantage for NZ sprinter First Five in season opener

On-course trainer David Greene’s optimism has grown as the week has progressed, with Te Rapa’s track improving into the soft range ahead of Saturday’s Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate meeting.

The Hamilton horseman’s Group 1-winning sprinter First Five is set to resume in the Group 2 Waikato Stud Foxbridge Plate (1200m), with the gelding reliant on better footing.

The six-year-old son of Almanzor has yet to line up on a heavy track, and Greene said he wasn’t about to change that this weekend, and he was relieved to see the track improve, allowing his stable star to have home advantage in his resuming run.

“The track is looking like it is coming back a bit, so it gives some of those better track horses enough encouragement to put their hat in the ring, and it is a smart field,” Greene said.

“The firmer the better for him, and that is clearly shown in his form. All his work at home backs that up as well. I am hoping we might see that (track rating) move … which would be a plus. We will definitely be running at those (track conditions) and just hoping for the best.”

First Five was a breakout star among New Zealand’s sprinting ranks last season, winning his last three starts, including the Group 3 J Swap Sprint (1400m), Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) and Group 1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m). – NZ Racing Desk