Georgie Best not only gives Sailesh Abernethy his first drive for Purdon Racing in a Sires Stakes heat at Alexandra Park on Friday he has Nathan thinking the engagement could be ideal for horse and driver.
“At the time we had limited options but the more I thought about it the more I thought Sailesh was an ideal choice for the horse at this stage.
He is a relaxed sort of horse, happy to run last if he thinks you are happy with that. Sailesh has the up and go style that will suit him.
I had thought Georgie Best was going to go on improving over time into being a smart horse especially as a three year old.But he has surprised me how much he has gone on since he started racing. He represents value on the night I would say ($4.50). He is going well.”
Nathan has made a gear change to Andretti the $4.20 favourite with Andre Poutama in the bike and is expecting a better showing from the 8 gate this week.
“He never really let down last time. I am not quite sure what happened because he was wide early but had a nice run most of the way.He didn’t blow a lot immediately after the race either. He has the sliders on this week and that should sharpen him up”
Nathan has saluted Brooke’s first Kiwi winning drive on Alecto last week on her third drive as an official New Zealand junior- having driven before that in the Overseas Junior category from her native Australia-by her keeping the drive this week from a tricky 13 gate. It wasn’t as clear cut as expected after being given every chance last time but Nathan thinks that was a little deceiving.
“It was actually easier than it might have looked. She is a little different. Only does what she has to and doesn’t take too much out of herself.She has the sliding blinds this week. Brooke can have another go and while the gate is tricky she is a talent.”
Brooke Wilkins. Has back up win in New Zealand hope on Alecto
Alecto’s draw is because she is already a Sires Stakes heat winner.
He still rates stablemate Shezsofast at least an each way hope sitting on the second line of betting in the same race at $3.
“She really is a nice filly and she is going along well. We were happy with her trial and she will only improve too.”
Four horses trialled at Pukekohe midweek and two, Dream Light and Just Us Two will trial again in the next two weeks. Nancy Latour didn’t quite come up to expectations while Look To Da Stars could race next week in heats of the Northern Metro Series.
Nathan hosted Akuta, Oscar Bonavena and Rubira in a private trial at Pukekohe last Saturday just before they left for the south and was impressed.
“Akuta seems back to where he was and the others went well. Oscar may need a race after Australia but Rubira is well forward”
Pic. Alecto winning the time honoured Leonard Memorial (G3) at just her second start in April