Nathan says the team is likely to try something different with short odds fave ANDRETTI ($1.60:6.40 PM) Alexandra Park on Friday as he kicks off a Sires Stakes campaign from a wide gate, albeit in a small field.
“He’s been on on the pace and going ok but we think he is even better when allowed to run home late and that is the sort of run I will be talking to Andre about for Friday. He can sprint well enough to match them and that is the tactics we will be aiming at this week”
The Sires Stakes is also the focus with ALECTO ($1.80) and RIVER ($21) both with handy draws at 7.40 pm.. Nathan seeks a better response from River and will also change tactics accordingly.
“We think it is the time now for her to show us what she’s got. She has had a good buildup to this and I would expect Andre to put some pressure on her to get into the race and see what she can produce.
Alecto will be hard to beat. She is a smart filly and getting better all the time wth the speed to take a position. I am expecting a big run from her”
Meanwhile last start winner Midnight Miki has had a late change of plans and will come south with the rest of the “touring team” on Sunday arriving at Ohoka on Monday.
“We are going to have a crack at the Harness 7000 a good race for him (September 12 Addington) so he is a late addition to the team. He was originally going to come down later.”
PIC: Midnight Miki in an earlier win at Addington