LUMEN CAELI will be up for a form reversal at Addington on Thursday and Nathan’s tip is to stick with the ship.
“He;s just had no luck. He is doing it all right at home and I am expecting him to bounce back” said Nathan who is based at Rolleston while Mark supervises the team in Auckland,
Lumen Caeli means “light of heaven” but it could be fairly said he has had hellish luck at times. Two lengthy spells the latest one nearly 10 months, have not helped after an exciting start to his career.
He won first up in fine fashion on his present prep and went south for the Northern Southland Cup. It was a step up in class but the team was confident he was more than capable of taking it.
He hung quite badly in that race yet still run third and his next three outings have been on grass,driven by Mark, Jonny Cox and Olivia. In the Amberley Cup on February 6 he improved to get handy but was left parked for the last round and did well to hold on for 6th less than three lengths from the winner. Then in the Rangiora Classic a look for a softer run was the priority but the problem was no gaps appeared when required and he was not fully tested.
On Thursday is back to his favoured grit surface and fave track (4 from 5) and Blair Orange is in the bike. From a better gate he should get well enough placed to have his chance.
SINBAD was a fave of Nathan’s first up in Auckland where a bad gate ruined his win chance. He has another bad gate this week but Nath is willing to go again.
“He impresses me with the way he is developing. He doesn’t have the sharp speed of a horse like Sherlock. If Sherlock can get a sit and come out and sprint a quarter not many can hold him out. Sinbad is not that short of his horse but he is strong and can work in his races and still kick on. The draw looks a problem sure but I think he can run a big race’
And Nathan,Mikayla and team have plenty going on at Rolleston even if nothing much racing in the next week or so.
“We expect to have 10 at the trials next week and they will be close to racing then and a lot of youngsters getting through their paces. It is building up quickly now”
Pic: Lumen Caeli