Mark and Nathan are both happy looking forward to weekend racing though wary of some strong rivals in the feature events and in Nathan ‘s case a few reservations about the trotters engaged at Addington and Motukarara (Sunday)
NATHAN
“HIGH STEP (6:48) ($9.50) was disappointing last week but she is better than that and her work has been fine since. She is a high speed horse and if she can get a sit and one run at them I am sure she can make the four with natural improvement. LUBY’S LUCK (5.38 $34.50) got it wrong last week though she was tiring a bit at the time. She would improve with that and has the ace draw but I am not making any predictions about the outcome. She still has plenty to learn. LOOK TO DA STARS we have in on Sunday at Motukarara. It is a tickover race in many ways the only suitable race we could find this week and he needs racing. He has not been on the grass before but I don’t think that is an issue.”
It is easier for Nathan to assess the Sires Stakes heat when the stable has three runners.
“THE CON ARTIST (7:43) ($7.50) is the best of ours obviously and while the gate is tricky a lot will depend on what happens early.He has trained on well and has the edge over the others of ours. PARTY CENTRAL is well and has the advantage from one of possibly having the choice of who to hand up to. MIDNIGHT MIKI is still on the rise and will go well but there are some proven ones in here from two year old racing. There are six heats (Sires Stakes) so we need to get into the first two to be sure of a final and The Con Artist is our best chance of it this week”
MARK
Sacrifice night for Mark with his two galloping interests Buster Shaw (R1 and Captain Roy (R4) engaged for the Glenn Olds stable at Taupo during the day. Short of Verstappen driving no way he can be at both places
“WITHOUT YOU ($2.90 favourite a price which may surprise him) has the ace draw in her favour and is a contender but I feel she might lack the experience to beat some of the northern fillies.We think the fillies up here are stronger than in the south and maybe stronger than many of the colts.Without You was off her feed the first few days up here but has thrived since and she is ready for a big race. But Won and Only ($3.40) will be hard to beat and I liked the look of Brian Hughes’s youngster Hot and Dangerous ($6).” All in the family then !
Mark has two outside drives both for Arna Donnelly ROUGH AND READY ($9) looks at least place value in Race 2 having backup form though up against brother Barry with a $1.75 shot.His second drive is in keener demand as a result of strong workout form in the shape of LE MAJOR from the ace with stablemate Mako next door not attracting the same betting interest. Should be hard to beat
Mark has also announced a change of plan with OSCAR BONAVENA after a lack of nominations have suggested leadup runs will be in short supply in the north.
“We will head south earlier than I had intended and he will race at Addington on October 3” said Mark,who will remain in the south until the end of NZ Cup week.
PIC Without You (inner) and Jettasi finish off good work at Rolleston. Withut You is hoping to extend her reputation in the north this weekend