Beau Dane gives Rayner eleventh-hour relief | Manawatu-Wanganui Sport | Surfing, Rugby, Soccer, Football, Cricket in Manawatu-Wanganui

Evan Rayner is no stranger to a last-minute thumbs-up before the Interprovincial Challenge at New Plymouth.

In 2004, Betcha Wood came off the ballot on the morning of the race to take the event, and at 6.30am on Saturday Rayner was given the all-clear to start first reserve Beau Dane.

The good news was greeted with relief - and frustration. Rayner learned later that one of the northern runners was going to be scratched as early as last Thursday.

A few hours before the $50,000 race the Wanganui trainer was extremely upbeat in a television interview.

Little wonder. Beau Dane, representing Auckland after the withdrawal of Krash and ridden by a rampant Lisa Allpress, made light work of his opposition once in front after straightening for home.

Second was favourite I Am Sam with Go Danny storming into third.

It was Rayner's third win in the event, having won with Star Of The Ball as well.

As daughter and co-trainer JJ Rayner said yesterday: "New Plymouth has been a very kind track to us over the years."

Beau Dane, who is obviously relishing the addition of blinkers, is owned by several Wanganui people, and their on-course victory celebration was a boisterous one. The partying was tinged with sadness, however.

One of the group, Janice Webster, was further north attending a sister's funeral.

JJ said immediate plans for Beau Dane were uncertain.

There is also uncertainty about stablemate King Guru, who is now an official barrier rogue after again refusing to line up when a warm favourite on Saturday.

JJ said the Ishiguru four-year-old had huge potential, as well as a mind of his own.

In a quirk of fate, his stablemate Kai Iwi Lass won the race in only her second outing back from an injury-enforced two-year spell.

The seven-year-old is likely to start again on her home track on Saturday week, as will stablemate Rememba Howe, who was second on Saturday despite resenting the holding footing.

JJ also reported Wolf Pack will press on to the Great Northern Steeples on Saturday week.

The 11-year-old fell in the Grand National Steeples nine days ago when going well.

"I don't know if he would have beaten the Oulaghan pair, but he would have picked up a cheque," she said.