Long time Purdon stable assistant, Brooke Wilkins,has three competitive drives at Alexandra Park in only her second outing on the track on racenight -but in her typically realistic way she is not crossing any bridges before they are in front of her
“They all seem good chances and it would be great to win three of course.But I will take one” said Brooke on the eve of flying to Queensland to help prepare the stable team in its assault on winter carnival riches while Nathan is back in Auckland to supervise the stable. The Queensland team was based with Brooke’s father,David,while in Sydney waiting to travel north.
Brooke,previously a successful driver in Australia is on an overseas Junior Driver’s licence recently taken out,and looks to have a great chance of kicking off the night’s action with her first New Zealand winner with TREACHEROUS BABY (5.46:$2) whom she guided into a placing last week.
That Treacherous Baby’s racenight ambition had been under suspicion was hardly a secret but Brooke felt she passed with flying colours.
“I drove her the way I did partly because of that hoping she would run on stronger at the finish and she did.She felt as if she was keen to go. I thought Barry and Scott’s runner (Greased Lightnin,gate 5) would be the favourite but Treacherous Baby at her best is well up to winning at her best and I am hopeful that she is”
KATAMA (6.38:$3.70; Gate 3) ) is more of a challenge because she has ended up in the deep end at debut.
“She was nominated for a two year old filly event that didn’t get off the ground. Now she is running against tried horses and its a different ball game. Things like going off the gate is a little more relaxed among other youngsterw without experience while she has to do it against tough and seasoned campaigners. I have faith in her ability and she has done everything right but this sort of field changes what we were expecting so that bit is an unknown”
Brooke’s third drive is THE BETTOR DEAL (9.04 $3;gate 5) who has generally disappointed in his northern campaign. The fact he is not far off being favourite suggests this is an easier target for him field-wise than some lately. Brooke feels he has a couple of other things in his favour.
“He has had a freshener and he is usually at his best like that. And he has the sliding blinds on this week which could sharpen him up”
Brooke also took heart from a solo workout with him on Monday.
“He generally doesn’t show you much on the training track. Considering he was on his own I thought he went better so fingers crossed it will be his night”
The stable runner Brooke is not driving is LOOK TO DA STARS (7.39:$16) in the Metro Trot Final of $35,000. He will be driven by Andre Poutama this week,Zachary Butcher,who drove him to perfection in his heat,being required for favourite Higher Power, a son of former All Stars heroine High Gait, who looks well placed from the ace gate.
Look To Da Stars, so often his own worst enemy getting into trouble in races,got a lovely trip in the one-one last time and rolled on strongly for third. It suggested maturity is at last allowing him to develop his potential.
He is set a task to beat Higher Power and last week’s winner You Never Know but his solidity under pressure in the leadup suggests he will spring a surprise at short notice. None of the three have run any special times in the leadups and he can certainly go faster at his best.
Pic: Brooke with Don’t Stop Dreaming in Australia earlier in the year. She heads to Queensland for the stable at the weekend.