Though RUBIRA’S main aims are longer term Nathan is expecting a bold run and possibly a winning one second up at Alexandra Park on Friday. And the bookmakers agree with his $1.90 odds.
This is a big year for Rubira stepping up to the open class horses and Nathan feels it could be well into the season or even the next one before he peaks. But Friday is an opportunity with Better Knuckle Up and proven older pacer Jolimont looking hardest to beat.
“Dad was quite happy with his first up run.The blinkers have gone back on which will help him concentrate and probably his next run will be in a stronger field. We are aiming for another Brisbane campaign in the longer term. I felt his trial just before he left for the Queensland Derby last year alongside Merlin meant that he was not far away from those sort of horses even then.He should go a strong race”
ALECTO ($7) starts the night (5.06) and while she did not match the betting support fresh Nathan soon got over his initial disappointment.
“I was a bit at the time but after talking to Dad and considering the times the case looked a little brighter. There was a strong headwind in the back straight. She is a relaxed sort of filly, does very well very quickly and will only improve. Our aim is the Caduceus next time out but we thought we would back her up to sharpen her further and I was hoping for field that wouldn’t mean she had to run along hard. I am not sure whether that has happened but she will improve again here”
Fun fact: Alecto is unbeaten second up from two attempts.
DREAM LIGHT ($9.50) follows at 5.45 and with what could be a crucial gear change with no deafening to be used this week.
“Dad said when he pulled the plugs last time she just lost her bearings for long enough to affect her chances. So she will have clear ears this week and I am sure that will help her. She is a handy filly and there is a nice race coming up in the next couple of weeks we hope she will be competitive in. This race will be a good guide”
The Young Guns final round of heats take up quite a lot of Nathan’s attention on Friday though it is all about the Finals in two weeks.
“I thought about it before backing up COAL FIRE ($2.80) again and he has a tricky gate as a previous heat winner but he will be looking for a break after the Final as many of these will so another race is not going to do him any harm at this stage.I am not rating him best of the night though even though he should go close with luck in the running ”
Favouritism belongs to southern raider Tour Party from the ace draw and a perfect record from one start though sometimes even the stars can take a race to get used to Alexandra Park change of direction.
DELANEY ($19) is the backup runner for the stable and Nathan is impressed with his progress since his debut two weeks ago. He was green and a little distant then. He is not expecting a win but that will come soon enough.
“He has stepped up with that run. He has gate speed.If everything went his way he could sneak a top 3.And he will be a lot better again with another run”
In the filly heat QUEEN OF TROY sits at $18 with a tricky gate but again she should be an improver.
“I was thinking she might not measure up in the early races being a later developing type but she bounced out of her last race, has come on well and will come on well again from this”
Princess Kreka, of whom Nathan holds an opinion is a defector from the race.
“I have turned her out for a break. She was doing things fine and then some problems arose with steering her and she was just not herself. The experts put it down to maturity and we thought it best to give her a rest and start again. She will be back”
“Between you and me I am feeling real good”
“I think Rubira is the best prospect on Friday with a lot of progress out of the races for several of the younger ones”