CHASE A DREAM makes his debut in the ownership of Mark and Chris Ryder at Alexandra Park and according to Mark is about “85 percent” ready for the task.
“He hasn’t trialled,mainly because it is not easy to get really competitive trials for those sort of horses up here but I am pleased with him and I expect a bold race from him”
The former sensational 2yo Sires Stakes winner who contined top form last year at three is aimed at the rich slot race at Cambridge where he may meet his former stablemate DON’T STOP DREAMING who is now with Hayden and Amanda Cullen also after an ownership change.
Mark and Chris decided to purchase Chase a Dream after breeder Brian West,and co-owners the Gimblett family, put him on the sale list to pursue other avenues.
“All the time he was a youngster with us I was hands on with him so I thought I knew perhaps better than anyone how to train him. So Chris and I decided to try him” Mark said.
Chase a Dream has not raced since December 6 when he enjoyed no favours in the NZ Derby. He had had an interrupted prep. leading in to the end of season features but before then looked as good as any in the age group. He is at tempting odds tomorrow but must better Republican Party and Mo’unga but at 1700m. He looks a great Top 2 bet at $2.60 over a sprint trip even allowing for improvement.
Mark is happy if not overconfident over most of the team at Auckland.He headed north from Matamata to trial the Auckland-based team on Wednesday.
“DEMON BLUE ($2.20) is a puzzle at the moment. He is going ok races but he is not beating horses he has been good enough to beat in the past.I was happy again with his work midweek and you would expect him to beat that field if at his best”
OSCAR BONAVENA ($1.40) blotted his copybook in Sydney but is virtually unbackable in a two dividend race tomorrow.
“I think I know what happened over there. He is a fast trotter but you still have to be careful with him for a few strides after the start because he can overdo it and lose his gait. There are none better than Greg Sugars so I think he probably had designs on the lead and that caused the problem”
RUBIRA ($10) is Mark’s drive in the high class three year old race and while happy with his prep. thinks beating hot favourite Marketplace is a big ask.
“If I was drawn inside him, maybe, but it is going to be hard from outside him.”
The good news seems to be again Tp 2 with Rubira at $2.80 after winning against older horses last start.
MIDNIGHT MIKI, also at $10, makes his Alexandra Park debut in a hot race but has shown himself a tough customer with place aspirations.
WITHOUT YOU ($12) is up against hotpot Beside Me in the Group 2 Caduceus 3yo filly feature the favourite ironically enough being a daughter of former Purdon super star mare Dream About Me. She has had a steady buildup and like the fave has a tricky gate.
“This is the best field she has met this time in and it won’t be easy but she is well” Mark said. The filly is at a tempting $4 Top 2 odds and contends strongly for that.
LUBY’S LUCK ($2.70) has a tricky gate too but Mark feels she may be as good as any on the night and the bookmakers have not missed her impressive Oamaru win.”I think in this grade she is going to be hard to beat. We have trained a few of this family and some haven’t gone on from their early racing but she is a chance to and should show it here”