Taree trainer Glen Milligan has had to put his quest to break through for a win on the Wyong track on hold after the meeting was transferred to Newcastle.
Stewards this morning deemed the track unsuitable for racing on the back of recent heavy rainfall and more predicted.
Of his trio of runners, Milligan is banking on his bargain buy Shibab to get the job the done.
He believes the gelding will be equally as comfortable on the Newcastle track.
The four-year-old by Zoustar out of Rosewedge, was a $380,000 Magic Millions yearling originally trained by Chris Waller.
He had six starts for the stable, breaking through for his maiden on a heavy track at Hawkesbury, before being offered for sale.
Milligan picked him up at an online sale for just $10,000 in June last year and he has already more than paid for himself with close to $40,000 in prizemoney.
“He owes us nothing and I definitely think he can go on and win more races,” he said.
“He’s had two runs back this time in and his first was over unsuitable distance at Scone. We took him to Newcastle and thought he’d need another run, but he went really well and finished second.”
Shihab lines up in the 1350m CG&E Benchmark 64 and Milligan believes he will appreciate the step up.
“He’s definitely looking for more ground and was placed over the mile last prep. I think he’s very under-rated and if he can jump cleanly, he’ll be in the finish.”
Grant Buckley sticks with Shihab and Milligan has no fears about him getting through a heavy track.
Two-year-olds Punch One Out and Kaiyu represent the stable in the 1100m Maiden.
Milligan is looking for a better performance by Super One filly Kaiyu, who was disappointing on debut at Taree.
“She got into a bit of trouble and never really picked up after that. I’m hoping for an improved performance because she goes a lot better than that.
“It’s more of an educational run for Punch One Out. I’ve been very happy with him and thought we’d give him a run and then put him out. He was supposed to go around at Taree on Monday, but they were called off.
“He does have ability so it will be an interesting watch.”
The Hallowed Crown gelding trialled on a heavy track at Taree on April 20.
The first of eight races at Wyong gets underway at 12.20pm, with the track currently rated a heavy 10.
SELECTIONS:
Race 1 – 12.20pm: PBL LAW GROUP F&M MAIDEN (1350m): 1BUBBLES AND CAVIAR, 2 Outcast Girl, 3 Kata Kapi, 4 Overwatch.
Race 2 – 12.55pm: WYONG ROOS FOUNDATION CG&E MAIDEN (1350m): 1BERTIE, 2 Royalify, 3 Fyodor, 4 Meerut.
Race 3 – 1.35pm: SKY RACING SUPER MAIDEN (1100m): 1JELLICIOUS, 2 Duke Of Bronte, 3 Montigo Bay, 4 Glenbower.
Race 4 – 2.10pm: MAGIC MILLIONS PROVINCIAL MAIDEN (1600m): 1 NOIR VITESSE, 2 Bellascent, 3 Himeros, 4 Highland Eightgee.
Race 5 – 2.50pm: TABCORP BM64 (2100m): 1 PIPISTRELLE, 2 Vadamos Queen, 3 Professor Pickles, 4 Icebreaker.
Race 6 – 3.25pm: DE BORTOLI WINES F&M BM64 (1350m): 1 PARISIAN ROSE, 2 There There, 3 Shuri, 4 Linguee.
Race 7 – 4.05pm: CARLTON & UNITED BREWERIES CG&E BM64 (1350m): 1PRIMO, 2 Tannenburg, 3 Shihab, 4 Missile Seeker.
Race 8 – 4.40pm: WYONG LEAGUES GROUP MIDWAY BM64 (1000m): 1 ROCKIN’ MILLIE, 2 The Escape, 3 My Eloise, 4 One Kind.
