Tracey Bartley is tipping a good preparation for his speedy filly Commute who resumes in Thursday’s Class 2 over the 1100m at Wyong.
The three-year-old by Denman had four starts in her first preparation, posting a win over the same distance at Wyong second up.
Two of her runs were metropolitan mid-week races where she was far from disgraced and she ran fourth at Kembla on a heavy 9 track on March 23 before spelling.
Bartley has her primed for a strong first up performance after she trialled well over the 1000m at Gosford on June 4.
“It’s a very tough race on paper but she is really well, and I think she will run really well,” he said.
“Her trial was good and I’m really happy with her. She is really all ready to go.”
Bartley said he didn’t want a heavy 10 track but with the right conditions she should be in the finish.
“She’s won at Wyong last preparation and I think she is a really handy filly.
“I’ve got no doubt she will win in town. It’s just about placing her.”
Bartley is also keen to see Equilibrium step out for the first time over 1600m since joining his stable.
The five-year-old gelding started his racing career in New Zealand and had a stint in Victoria before transferring to Bartley early this year.
He believes Equilibrium, who was a last start winner at Cessnock over 1570m, has ability and is keen to get him up over more ground.
“I’m looking forward to seeing him over the mile, especially around his home track,” Bartley said
“He’s raced over 2000m previously and I think we will see the best of him when he gets up around that distance.
“He needs the mile now and I think he will race well.
“He’s getting around the place like he owns it at the moment. He’s a very happy horse. I’m sure he will run very well.”
Rounding up his trio of runners is Sapphires Son on debut in the 1000m Maiden Plate.
The Pluck gelding, who has trialled twice, will be ridden by apprentice Stacey Metcalfe who recently transferred from Wagga to Allan Denham.
Metcalfe has ridden 69 winners to date including a metropolitan win and Sapphires Son will be her first race on her new home track.
“I’m looking forward to seeing Stacey ride him. He’s trialled nice enough, but he panics a bit in his trials, so we’ve put a cross over nose band on him, and hopefully that will straighten him out.
“These provincial maidens can be pretty tough, but we just thought on the home track he’ll get around there. It’s an educational run for him really and what he does he should improve on.”
The first of eight races at the club’s Give Me 5 For Kids Charity Raceday gets underway at midday.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.00pm: RJAY’S INSTALLATIONS-WINDOWS & DOORS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1600m): 1 DISCOMBE, 2 Grand Eagle, 3 Dominica Rose, 4 Deliya.
Race 2 – 12.40pm: HUNTER2COAST EQUINE SALT THERAPY 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP (1100m): 1 ARBOREAL, 2 Freedom’s Fire, 3 Rifles, 4 Veloraad.
Race 3 – 1.20PM: CASANOVA OYSTERS & SEAFOOD MAIDEN PLATE (1350m): 1 FRONT SIGHT, 2 Under The Pump, 3 Our Celtic Star, 4 Heimberg.
Race 4 – 1.55pm: BLITZ HOMES MAIDEN PLATE (1000m): 1 CAESURA, 2 Perigord, 3 Caribbean Kisses, 4 Zem Factor.
Race 5 – 2.35pm: HUCKEL EXCAVATIONS 4YO&UP CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (2100m): 1 OUR CANDIDATE, 2 Mushroom Rock, 3 Dreamfyre, 4 Nardini Song.
Race 6 – 3.10pm: CENTRAL COAST BULLDOGS MASTERS RUGBY LEAGUE CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1100m): 1 VERLAN, 2 Lashes, 3 Commute, 4 Sir Elton.
Race 7 – 3.45pm: GIVE ME 5 FOR KIDS CHARITY CUP BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1350m): 1 DOCTOR ZOUS, 2 Battle Cry, 3 Quick Finance, 4 Smiling Manolito.
Race 8 – 4.20pm: GO ELECTRICAL BENCHMARK 64 HANDICAP (1600m): 1 AUBURN BOY, 2 Saving, 3 Press Review, 4 Equilibrium.
