The market isn’t rating SPECIAL OCCASION in the Woodlands Derby at Alexandra Park Friday but Nathan thinks it may have got it wrong.
“I am really hoping he can show what a good horse he is now that all his problems are behind him. I think he can compete with most of them at his best and I think he is in a good place to show that. Jumal at his best seems unbeatable. Everyone else has to hope some hard racing has got to him. The others are quite even and I feel we have a chance to be in it”
Special Occasion had a wretched late two year old campaign related to a virus that decimated the Purdon Racing team in the south over the spring. The decision was made to miss some big races, give him a decent break and get him back to his best.
He has only had the two races back so in theory has further ground to make from this one but Nathan is inclined to disagree.
“I don’t think he is far from the peak to be honest. Getting to the Derby was always the aim. Since last week I have stepped up his work considerably.The more I have given him the better he has responded. He is good and I know he can show it in his next couple of starts”
The gate is tricky but the 2700m trip could negate that especially with Maestro Mark in the bike. Group Ones attract Mark’s best driving form like a magnet so Special Occasion will not lack in that regard. At $5.50 to place at least seems a live betting hope.
All going well he is then headed for the Sires Stakes Final, for which he has qualified,in mid May.
Andretti has been sold by Jean Feiss and transferred to Jason Grimson, whose mana is substantial enough to have the youngster at $7 with Cameron Hart to aid in the cart even though his form has not been up to Group 1 status as yet.
“Jason has only had him four days so it will be interesting to see how he goes” says Nathan
WAT NEXT and ALECTO are the stable hopes in the Pascoe Northern Oaks and in spite of last week’s fortune no forlorn chances.
“I don’t quite understand the market here” Nathan says
“I don’t think there is a lot between most of these fillies. They have their turn at looking sharpest but I would say a lot will come down to the distance, which will test several of them, and luck in the running.
If our fillies got the luck I am confident they will get the distance. Last week Alecto had a gear malfunction at the start and was just too fierce and Wat Next had no luck in the last round. With the Oaks coming up Dad did not want to ask her for too much and she should be a force this time with luck on her side. Alecto has shown us she likes longer trips. They are both well, better than their form”
Jean Feiss will feature with the stable as the owner of BEWARE THE STORM in the two year old race,opening at $11 and drifting to $15.
“It is a tricky draw. Our luck I suppose. There are usually smaller fields for the juveniles here and when we line up it is a full field !’
Nathan said the aim of the race was to justify a trip south for juvenile features mid May and he is looking for that and the benefit the race experience in a field will bring.
PIC: Alecto and Wat Next wind down after a spring workout. They will be looking to best autumn form on Friday