SPECIAL OCCASION is as fit as he can be going into the Sires Stakes is Final Friday. But a little bit of each way would help Nathan reckons
That each way means plenty of good fortune for the Purdon star from a wide gate and a little piece of lesser fortune for some key rivals. And he is not wrong.
The wide gate means driver John Dunn may have to go back early with speedy types inside him but Nathan is prepared for that.
“I don’t think he has the outright speed to open up a field like that anyway with the gates. But you don’t want to be too far back in a sprint race either”
Nathan was not entirely disappointed that Special Occasion had an interrupted run in the straight in last week’s leadup.
“From the point of view of this week’s race it was probably ideal. He was pretty near his best then and should be spot on now”
Nathan is encouraged that Special Occasion has proven through his Woodlands Derby run that he can match most in the field.
“Jumal is the standard and if all goes well with him it is hard to see how he will be beaten especially if he gets it soft in front. But if things don’t go his way or he is off song for any reason,we have a chance.”
Earlier in th night LOOK TO DA STARS lines up and in a race certainly not beyond his considerable potential. The question is always whether we will see that. If we do he makes good appeal.
Nathan brought him down south chiefly to get him checked over after he galloped late in a northern trial when looking to be on track for top form. Not only has he got the all clear but with Nathan now staying another week until after Kings Birthday weekend to campaign last week’s impressive two year old winner Beware the Storm at Ashburton who has already made the campaign a roaring success, Look To Da Stars will probably have another outing before heading home.
“That will probably be the case all going well and Special Occasion has another opportunity too but I have mixed feelings on that one we will just wait and see how this week goes” Nathan said.
Hold the phone
Top Three , Maybe Better, Is the Sires Stakes Final Hope
