King Of Ashford looks to rule Awapuni 

Otaki trainer Karen Zimmerman will be looking to get the thumbs up for an Australian campaign from rider Gavin McKeon after King Of Ashford contests the Gr.3 $75,000 Merial Metric Mile (1600m) at Awapuni on Saturday.

McKeon will be having his first raceday ride on the six-year-old, but got a taste of the horse's ability when riding him in trackwork at Otaki on Thursday  morning.

"Gavin was really pleased with the way he felt and I couldn't be happier with the horse," said Zimmerman.

"He's extremely well and has done plenty of work so he's ready for a big race fresh-up.

"I expect him to be hard to beat."

If King Of Ashford lives up to Zimmerman's expectations he will remain on track for a three-race Melbourne campaign later this year.

Zimmerman plans to use the $A100,000 Gr.3 Coongy Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on October 21 as the launching pad for King Of Ashford's  Australian campaign.

The horse will then contest the Gr. 1 $A500,000 MacKinnon Stakes (wfa 2000m) at Flemington on November 4 and the Gr. 2 $A400,000 Sandown Classic (wfa 2400m) at Sandown a fortnight later.

"He'll have two runs here before he goes," said Zimmerman.

"The second run will be in the Matamata Cup (on October 7)."

King Of Ashford  hasn't raced since winning the Gr.2 Davmet Hawkes Bay Cup (2200m) at Hastings last April, but he showed his forwardness to resume with a 1200-metre trial win at Foxton on September 5.

"He had a good hit-out in that trial and won it easily," said Zimmerman.

"He has thrived since then."

Zimmerman is also represented in Saturday's race by Rodin who has recorded half of his 12 wins at this distance.

Wahid winner of the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Levin Classic (1600m) and the Gr.1 Mercedes NZ Derby (2400m) last season, will be a very interesting runner.

Wahid was given a well-earned spell after the Derby triumph and resumed in the Gr.1  Mudgway Partsworld Stakes (1400m) at Hastings, finishing eighth after a rocky run in the home straight.

Trainer Allan Sharrock has also used trials as a build-up for Wahid and will be looking for a top performance from the four-year-old on Saturday.

Balmuse, a past winner of the Gr I Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m), heads the field for the Merial Metric Mile with 58.5kg and should give a good account of himself.

Two starts back he was held up when fifth in the Gr.3 Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton, then at Rotorua last start over 1200 metres he ran on late for fourth.

Bulginbaah shares second placing with King Of Ashford on the handicap for the race, each carrying 57.5kg.

Bulginbaah completed a double when taking out the Listed Foxbridge Plate (wfa 1400m) at Te Rapa at the expense of Don't Ya Lovett and Seachange on August 19 and was then a creditable fifth to Seachange in the Gr. 1 Mudgway Partsworld Stakes (1400m) at Hastings two week's later.

Mohican Brave could be a strong lightweight chance in the event, slipping in with 53kg.

The seven-year-old has had a problem-plagued career, but hinted he was back on the right track when resuming at Hastings on September 2.

He was runner-up to group one winner Arlingtonboulevard at Hastings, but relegated to fourth for home-straight interference.

Baltaine earned a tilt at this race when running on strongly for second at Ellerslie last Saturday and he will be out to attempt to post his first win at 1600 metres.

Zvezda is a dual group one winner who was a close second last start and does have a good record at both the course and distance.

Sir Slick  was last home in the Gr I Mudgway Partsworld Stakes, but his placing is best overlooked as he met interference early in the run home.

He has a good record at Awapuni with two starts on the track for a Listed win and a second placing.