Punters are advised to forget Mangaroa Flo Jo’s last-start performance when assessing her chances at Hastings on Saturday.

The High Chaparral mare’s unplaced effort at Te Rapa can be forgiven following results of a post-race examination.

“She didn’t quicken up like she can and we scoped her afterwards and she’d swallowed a lot of sand,” co-trainer Mathew Gillies said.

Gear additions will also be made when the Group winner tackles the Taradale Club 2100m.

“We’ll put a tongue tie on and the blinkers to sharpen her up,” Gillies said. “Fingers crossed she’s back to her best.”

The former leading jumps jockey is in his first season of training in partnership with Graham Thomas, who is also expecting significant improvement from Mangaroa Flo Jo at Hawke’s Bay.

“She’s a handy mare and I’d be disappointed if she didn’t go close on Saturday,” he said.

“If she goes very well then we’ll probably look at the Taumarunui Cup, if not we might slip back to the Parliamentary. She goes well at Wellington.”

The seven-year-old won the Gr.3 Manawatu Breeders’ Stakes (2000m) on a past visit to Trentham and her only other start there resulted in a runner-up finish.

“A longer-term goal for her could be Australia in the early spring,” Thomas said. 

“She could go over to be mated and might have a couple of runs, not in the big races but there are staying options there for good money.

“It’s a longshot and she would have to be going well so we’ll see what happens.”