The Scunner chasing change in fortune

The Scunner (NZ) (Shamexpress) will sign off for the season at Ōtaki with connections hoping he can end a frustrating campaign on a top note.

The son of Shamexpress has displayed indifferent form this time around, but with a peak performance he would be a major player in Saturday’s Listed James Bull Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m).

“He’ll go out after this one and when he was going well, he was running good times so at his best he certainly wouldn’t be out of place against these horses,” trainer Ashley Meadows said.

The Scunner enjoyed a lucrative spring preparation and off the back of a runner-up finish in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) he returned to Trentham to go one better in the Gr.3 Spring Sprint (1400m).

He then headed north for the Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile (1600m) but wasn’t a factor there and another disappointing effort followed in the Gr.2 Thorndon Mile (1600m) at Trentham.

“When I took him up to Ellerslie his form was really good, but his run was average and his next one down here was even worse, so we gave him a break,” Meadows said.

The Scunner resumed with a handy fifth in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m) before a heavy track may have tripped him up most recently in the Listed Anzac 1600m.

“It was a good run at Trentham when Opie (Bosson) rode him and then Joe (Doyle) thought he travelled into the race well (at Ōtaki), but when he asked him to go, he went up and down on the spot,” Meadows said.

“The track may have been a bit too puggy for him.”

While Meadows may be more hopeful than confident with The Scunner, who will also have to deal with the outside barrier (17), he is bullish about the chances of stablemate Derrick in The Tele Ōtaki Maiden (1400m).

The four-year-old son of Derryn has gone close to breaking his duck in a brief career with three placings from five appearances.

He returned from a break over this course and distance last month to finish runner-up and followed up with a sound third in the hands of Jonathan Riddell on a heavy surface at Waipukurau.

“He galloped really well the other day and it’s a strong maiden, but he’ll be competitive,” Meadows said.

Any improvement in underfoot conditions on Saturday will help Derrick’s cause.

“Jonathan will be sticking with him, and he thought the track was a bit wet for him last time,” Meadows said.