Nathan was surprised VESSEM didn’t feature among the required numbers for the $500,000 Hill Lee and Scott Velocity Slot race and now has to consider which race he will be in on the night.
“He is the emergency and is selected in case any of the contracted runners has to drop out close to the race leaving the slot holder stranded.The selection is made by others. I think he would be a big danger in the race anyway myself but it is what it is. ”
Vessem (pictured travelling easily on the outside of Rubira at Addington last week) has a start in the last race on the card the Terry McDonald Memorial at 8.24 if nothing withdraws from the Velocity where he is the second favourite at $5. He has gate 8 as an emergency in the Velocity and and at $41 with an unlikely start
“Very competitive the way he’s going” siad Nathan of his chance later at night. “I m very surprised really he wasn’t taken up for the Slot race”
Chase a Dream dominates the betting in the Velocity and is a class above several runners in this field from the 7 gate. He is fit for the task in spite of the lack of suitable leadup races in the last few weeks.
“He actually did his final work on Tuesday and it was very good as it had been on Sunday.We are very happy with him” Nathan said.
The other Slot runner for the stable is LOOK TO DA STARS who has drawn awkwardly in the Majestic Floats Ascent and will need luck from the second row his current price being at $61. OSCAR BONAVENA has drawn 8 in the NZ Trotting Free for All but will be well suited to the sharper distance after a luckless run on Tuesday.Blair takes over the drive but Just Believe looks the one to beat again from a handy 4 gate.
MR KAPLAN could be a little under the radar in the Mare’s Championship from a tricky 8 gate. She overcame a mild setback to resume training at her best and her run at Ashburton suggests if she runs up to her 2nd placing in the Standardbred Breeders Stakes she can be a force.
Nathan says the decision to bypass the NZ Free for All was not a difficult one to make in the end.
“He came through the race well,very well actually,but we took stock of what’s coming up and decided it was best for the horse to miss this race.He is only four and there is a big race for him on Derby night at Addington early next month and we will be targeting the Auckland Cup after that. We have got him in the right place and we want to keep him there.
All of our Cup day runners have come through well actually. It was quite a thrill to take a smaller team to a day like that when most of them were not favourites and some at good odds and have them perform up to those heights. Satisfying,and hope we can keep it up”