Robbie’s on fire and the water’s on the way so it looks elementary for Authentic Charm

With jockey Robbie Hannam on a roll, and rain forecasted tonight, the stage is set for Authentic Charm to start living up to her breeding.

The half sister to Latta’s old warhorse Authentic Paddy starts in the fourth race at Waipukurau on Thursday with a seemingly ordinary 5544 formline to her name.

But Latta is confident Authentic Charm has some good form ahead of her. And with Hannam, fresh from winning three of the seven races at Wingatui on Monday, on board and rain predicted to arrive tonight, the mare could get her preferred conditions.

Authentic Charm meets an even bunch in the fourth race and after being lumbered with gate nine in three of her four starts this campaign finally lands the inside alley.

But, best of all, the track was rated a dead 5 this morning and, with 11ml predicted to fall this evening, it could be further downgraded.

Authentic Charm has had to run on good 3 footing three times this year, a handicap reflected in her formline.

Robbie Hannam … three winners at Wingatui on Monday brought his career tally at home to 1045.“She’s been looking for slower ground,’’ says Latta. “It’s great to see they have put plenty of water on the track and showers are forecast.’’

Latta has brought Authentic Charm back to 1200 metres for Thursday’s race.

“She had a bit of a foot issue that meant we had to back off her. But she galloped very well on Tuesday morning and she will be very competitive.’’

Latta says typical of the stock of Per Incanto, the four-year-old is getting better and better with time.

Hannam will also be on Lincoln Farms’ second runner Miss Oahu and while Authentic Charm will go better the more rain that Waipukurau gets, Miss Oahu will go worse.

Miss Oahu has gate two and only six rivals in race five but, while that would just about make her a winner on top of the ground, she is a duffer in wet conditions.

Placed in four of her last five starts, Miss Oahu looked all over the winner last time at Woodville, only to be run down in the shadows by Vincent, losing the photo finish by a head.

“She has continued to work well and, so long as the ground doesn’t deteriorate, you would expect her to be very competitive.’’