Prohibitive odds suggest there is widespread agreement Mark Nathan and Blair will score with FIVE CROWNS at Addington Friday but there is much less confidence in the chances of DON’T STOP DREAMING in the Hunter Cuup at Melton tomorrow in spite of his outstanding work earlier in the week.
“It seems a nice race for Five Crowns the way he trialled and he is going the right way ” Nathan said about the big drop in class since the last time he raced in age group. $1.16 however is not an attractive price.
Don’t Stop Dreaming 2nd last year to Leap to Fame, is at $16 in the Hunter Cup from gate 7 and Nathan concedes he will need much in is favour to upset the favourites
“I think the pace will be on all the way and he would need maybe a couple of 29 quarters to get into the right possie and mount a challenge from there. He will need a lot of luck toi do that”
Don’t Stop Dreaming missed a race last Friday when an open race did not go ahead but Nathan feels that is not a factor.
“It was just going to be an easy top off for him. He worked with Oscar on Tuesday and Dad was very happy with both of them. So they will be ready”
Like many Nathan took a close look at Leap to Fame in his leadup last week.
“I was a little surprised Tact McLeod got as clase as he did but Grant is a little like Dad- he hopes to get them over the line with a bit left in the tank. So I didn’t read too much into the margin. Also he had had that time off and still on the up”
However Nathan is more bullish about OSCAR BONAVENA (pictured) as he tries a rare “heat and final” challenge in the Great Southern Star. His heat (8.30) is headed by the $1.40 shot The Locomotive with the top five making the big final later in the night.The final is at 11.46
“He’s still in a great place,he’s sustained that for a good while now and Dad is very happy with him. I don’t think the format will bother him at the distance and I would have more confidence in his chances that Darci’s probably”
Nathan has been busy doing the rounds of southern sale vendors after a stint at Auckland with Mark seaching for the next stable star.
“I have got a top short list of about 10 so far with others on the list,the lineup seems good” Nathan said
“Dad will be down later to check out some of the offerings and we have a few to do. If I came home with 10 nice yearlings I will be happy”