Trentham has been a happy hunting ground for Town Cryer with the exception of last year’s Gr.1 TAB Mufhasa Classic (1600m), and 12 months later, the mare is back for redemption.

As an on-speed runner, Town Cryer went straight to the lead in the 2023 edition, which was soon deemed a false start after the three outside gates failed to open. For Roydon Bergerson, who trains her out of Awapuni, it wasn’t an easy watch for a mare in career-best form.

 “She seems to enjoy Wellington and Auckland, she probably shouldn’t have been out of the money in this race last year,” he said.

“She ran seventh, it was a bit unfortunate with the gates not opening on the outside because she went the furtherest of any horse. She didn’t stop until about halfway up the straight then she turned around and had to do it all over again.

“The next time, she didn’t really know what she was doing, but she hung in there and ran an incredible race. I think if the first had gone around, she would’ve been a lot closer than that as she was bang-on that day, but that’s racing.”

Town Cryer went on to have a glittering remainder of the season, winning or placing in her following five starts including a runner-up finish to Belclare in the Gr.1 New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders’ Stakes (1600m).

Returning as a six-year-old, she has maintained that form with a second in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), before holding her rivals at bay comfortably in the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) in late October, her final appearance prior to the elite-level contest.

“I took her to Wanganui for a gallop between races on Saturday with Wingman, and they worked really nicely over 1200m,” Bergerson said.

“I’m happy with that, so I just ticked her over this week and she’s ready to go.”

Bergerson is pleased to have secured the services of Luke Currie, a 13-time Group One-winning Australian jockey who will partner the daughter of Tavistock from the ace draw.

“I was looking for a jockey and I talked to Brad Taylor (General Manager of RACE), who said the club was looking to bring over an Australian rider,” he said.

“They came up with Luke and I’m very happy with that. He’s very professional in what he does, he’s ridden all over the world so I’ll just leave it up to him, he’ll do his form and know how to ride her.

“She’s a pretty easy mare to ride, she likes to get on pace and get going before the corner, instead of a sit and sprint. She’s a genuine, tough mare that loves a fight, so if she can get some cheap sectionals and not leave it as a sprint, she’ll be very competitive.”

Earlier in the meeting, Bergerson will have his $1 million Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) hopeful Too Sweet taking her place in the Devan Plastics 2YO (1000m). The Satono Aladdin filly won on debut at the course ahead of Almakeitgood and is likely to strike a far better surface on Saturday.

“At her first start, she was a little bit green and ran all over the place, but got the job done. I see the second horse won today, so the form is pretty good,” Bergerson said.

“In her trial, she ran a second faster than the open handicappers, and she was on the bridle. I’ve just ticked her over since then, so hopefully we can get through this race and carry on.

“She’s really stepped up, her trial indicated that and she’s gone from strength-to-strength.”

Wingman will also be suited to the drier conditions, taking his place in the Aztech Engineering 3YO (1400m).

“He’s a very nice horse going forward, I can’t fault his work and he looks tremendous in the coat,” Bergerson said.

“I’m looking forward to getting him on to a good track.”

A winner at her first start, four-year-old mare Testing will take a step-up in distance in the Jennian Homes Wellington 1400, to be ridden by Michael McNab.

“She’s a pretty good mare I think, they’ll know that she’s there on Saturday,” Bergerson said.

“Her work has been very good since her win, she was pretty professional that day. She’s got an awkward draw, but she’s got a good rider so hopefully he’ll make up for it.”