Thoroughbreds take up more of Mark’s time these days but he was stable driver at the Addington trials on Wednesday and was happy with just about every outcome.
“I thought for where they are at in their various preps they were up to the mark and I think they are in the right place at this stage of their programmes”
“They needed strong hitouts and had them and they will only get better”
First up was MAJOR HOT the Art Major youungster showing potential. Mark sent him early dictating a useful pace,Tim Williams brought Double Jeopardy around to lead before the turn but Mark rallied his charge to win in 2.42.7,the last 400 in a smart 27.7 in the conditions,though the overall tempo did not match the previous 2000m qualifier.
“There were only four in it but he went well enough. The conditions weren’t ideal”
TREACHEROUS BABY and ARDEN’S MEMORY were the two year old pacing fillies on display the former a daughter of O Baby,whose son Mo’unga won on the day.Both fillies got back early and Treacherous Baby led her stablemate into contention but was outfinished by Courtney Rose,a filly by Vincent, with Arden’s Memory making ground for third. Adore Me’s daughter All You Need is Me from the Dalgety stable,led for much of the way and held third.
LOOK TO DA STARS was a distant trailer in the qualifying trot in which winner Wypout was always clear in the two horse race but the Rolleston youngster trotted solidly nearly all the way which would have been the main objective at this stage.
“He was beaten a long way but I was not disappointed.He will go on from here”
NO MATTER WAT and ANYTHING GOES rounded out the Purdon Racing team though Michael had MYSTIC MAX in good trim to win his heat.
No Matter Wat, 3rd in her heat over 2600m was as good as any on the day Mark thought.
“Probably our best and she has been in work a good while so no surprise.But she felt good and paced well” The leaders went the last 400 in 27.8 and she was holding her own at the line after settling ack from 10m.
ANYTHING GOES was not seriously tried over the closing stages in a race run a little quicker than was ideal for him at this stage. The leaders went 3.18.2 much the quickest 2600 heat and came home in a cracking 26.8 in adverse conditions.
Anything Goes has a competitive rating of 72 and an appealing race for him to kick off in is not far away.
While a couple of Lazarus youngsters were a shade disappointing in their heats for Graham Court’s stable that was not the biggest negative of the day for Mark.
The weather took that honour.
“It was freezing cold. I haven’t struck many trial days as bad as that.It affected the times too obviously.Apart from the weather I was happy”
He expects a bold resumption from SINBAD at Addington on Friday where the R47 three year old has drawn the outside but should be too good for his rivals on his earlier form behind horses like Don’t Stop Dreaming. A second stable runner is Atarah,owned by Mikayla and driven by Olivia who has drawn the ace though disappointing on her stable debut.
She was not primarily bought to race but in an even looking field looks an each way chance.
PIC: SINBAD-BACK IN ACTION FRIDAY