Local trainers Rob and Joy Reinke concede they’ve set young sisters Minter Fly and Minter Rise a daunting task in Sunday night’s heats of the Provincial Plate (520m) at Sale.
It will take a training masterclass of the highest order for the husband-and-wife team, with Minter Fly and Minter Rise both tackling the Provincial Plate heats first-up after lengthy breaks.
Minter Fly, the winner of two from eight, and Minter Rise, which has won two from seven, have been off the scene since August and September respectively.
The challenge of making the lucrative Provincial Plate Final on Melbourne Cup night became even tougher when the daughters of young sire Blazin’ Bomber missed crucial lead-up runs at Warragul on Tuesday when the meeting was abandoned due to a power outage.
“It would be unbelievable to have a runner on Melbourne Cup night,” Rob Reinke said.
“It’s the pinnacle of the season.
“We did eye this event off because we like to support our local area and promote the sport and we think we’ve got dogs that can be very competitive.
“We had them in at Warragul on Tuesday for a prep run into Sunday but unfortunately the meeting was called off. That threw a bit of a spanner into the training works but these things happen.”
The hits kept coming for the Reinkes in the box draws for Sale’s two Provincial Plate heats with Minter Fly drawing five in the opening run-off and Minter Rise allocated four in heat two.
“We had some good luck at Warragul when ‘The Fly’ drew eight, which is where she wants to be, but she didn’t get to run of course,” Rob offered.
“They’re both coming back from spells but they’re fresh and keen and as long as they get a bit of luck they’ll be right there.
“Out of the two, Minter Fly has always been slightly quicker and she would be my favourite on Sunday but I think Minter Rise is in the easier heat.
“They both started their careers at Sandown, which will help if either can make the final. One would be enough!
“We’re not big trainers and when you breed a dog all you hope is that they can be competitive. We’re never going to get a Fernando Bale – although we can dream about it – but getting a dog that’s competitive is a big plus.
“We’ve only got four race dogs at the moment and we’ve also got a litter of six pups by Orson Allen – Fancy Minter that have just broken in quite well. I think it was about the second litter Orson Allen had.
“Fancy Minter’s first litter (to Banjo Boy) includes Zero Cool, which recently ran third in the Group 1 Hume Cup, so it’s nice to help other people enjoy some success too.”
The two Provincial Cup heats are races six and eight at Sale’s Sunday meeting.
