Anything Goes has had a setback in his spring preparation which is not serious but has come at the worst possible time.
The concern was raised after the big gelding’s lacklustre effort at Addington last week after a brilliant home trial midweek.
“We had a blood done and it wasn’t a mile out but not where it was earlier on. Some other tests had been a little below perfect but not far off and he was thriving so we were not really concerned”
“We are going to give him a little time off to get him back to where he should be and go on from there.Potentially yes he could be ready for a race like the Kaikoura Cup but we will have to see”
It means Anything Goes might not make the NZ Cup though in theory he has enough time to regroup. Nathan is happy to wait if necessary.
“It’s tough on a horse like him. He has had plenty of time to develop but that means he lacks the ringcraft of horses he is running against now and with only a dozen or so starts. He hasn’t been through the tough age group racing of most of them and now he”s racing topliners. It could be 12 months before he hits peak and we will not be pushing too hard at this stage” Nathan said.
There is plenty going on in the stable though with several runners in at Addington Thursday and High Energy set for a $50,000 Need for Speed Princess Final at Melton and High Step in the Conroy Classic for two year old trotters on Friday.
The return of Millwood Nike is a highlight at Addington and Nathan is pleased with her going into the race when Olivia takes the drive after Mark and Blair were both suspended at Addington last week.
“She’s come up tops and it is hard to see her beaten to be quite honest. There doesn’t seem to be anything around to beat her at this stage”
Luvstruck lines up in the Nevele R heat too but will need luck from a tough draw.
Vessem, going along well, is in a similar situation and Chase a Dream “improving all the time” may be the hardest for him to beat. Major Hot is out with a foot abcess.
Waterford and Treacherous Baby clash in the Sires Stakes heat for fillies with Madrid a contender from a tricky gate.
“Treacherous Baby has been regarded as our best but there is not a lot between them on ability and Waterford has the gate advantage. She can get out of the gate well enough and will be competitive.”
At Methven on Sunday Franco Indie is making his grass debut in the Methven Cup and third up he could be the one to beat.
“He has had the two runs and has needed them after a long layoff.About now he will be ready to show his best.The grass won’t bother him. I’m expecting a big run.”
He doesn’t have such high hopes for the Lazarus filly Eyeliner earlier in the day.
“The conditions of the race, a mile for fillies and mares suits her but she is a work in progress”
High Energy has a 2nd row draw in the Need for Speed Final but it is not all bad news.
“She’s 3 out in the second row but she follows a form horse into the race and if that one heads off the inside horse who is probably the one to beat in front we might end up ok”
High Energy is 2nd favourite at around $5 in the betting.High Step is at odds on earlier in the night.
Meanwhile We Can Have It All is headed home after an easy time since the Vicbred Final.
“She is flying to Auckland and then down here and will be got ready for features in December”
Pic:Millwood Nike