Pantani, who made a winning debut for Mark and Nathan last start could yet make his debut for Nathan on his own account at upcoming grass track racing.
“He has never been on the grass as far as we know and we think it might be something that could suit him as his next race though it is not set in concrete” Nathan said
“There is a nice distance grass race coming up for him further south and also a suitable race here on the 23rd but Andre and I are keen to run him on a grass track if all is right because it should suit him”
Finding out what suits Patani has challenged more than one of his handlers, his other win coming from the stable of David Butcher, and it took a lot of time and effort to get the last start result.
“Basically he is a horse who lacks confidence. As a result he can do things wrong and quite quickly. We have tried different things with him to build his confidence. Even then you have to be careful. Be in too much of a hurry and he does not want to go along. But even though he had a little gallop late on his first one for us, he recovered quickly and Mark said he had been trotting perfect up until then. Sometimes when that happened he would panic and that is what we have been working on. Not too much pressure. That is why something different like a grass track could suit him next time out. We will see how it shapes up.”
Closer in time Nathan should have confidence ARDEN’S MEMORY ($1.45) will give him a winning turn on first up on his own account at Cambridge on Friday but with a proviso.
“I have had a chat with Brooke (Wilkins) and we want her to have an easier race this time because she has had some hard ones.
She was very game last week being had on and going down late and still fighting until the end. That is how tough she is and why we haven’t avoided a battle. But she won’t want want too many of them so we will be looking for a softer trip here”
Nathan has spent much of the week in the south looking at yearlings.
“I saw about 60 I guess all up and probably came home with a short list of 15 or 16 for closer study.Be nice to come home with a nice Bettor’s (Delight) but we will have to see how that pans out”
Nathan says he can get a fair idea of likely prices on his scouting trips.
“You know a really stylish looker by Bettor’s is going to be at least $150,000 and you can work around the other well bred correct ones that look the part based on that. There’s always those harder to price such as a good looker with lesser breeding or a well bred one with a flaw that people might risk. Of the less glamorous ones I still have good regard for the Vincents. We have done well out of them and he throws then with strong bodies even if they can be on the plainer side. They usually win a few races at least and are still good value so I will keep a few of those in mind for owners looking for that part of the market”
He will have the assistance of Mark’s observations closer to sale time but will be watching AKUTA and OSCAR BONAVENA tomorrow rather than sharing the honours. Akuta’s run could define whether Mark will confirm a change of plans upcoming having previously decided to keep him in New Zealand. Some of the supporting Cup features in Australia could yet appeal if he continues his comeback bid.