Several Southland trainers were eager to resume racing at Gore on Friday, but due to severe weather forecasts, the meeting has been rescheduled to Sunday.
Ascot Park conditioner Sally McKay expressed her excitement about the return of racing after the winter break in the region, saying, “I can’t wait, it has been a long time coming, so I am thrilled to bits.”
McKay is set to field four horses at the meeting, one of them being Henry Hubber, the son of Rip Van Winkle, who displayed excellent form in his last preparation, securing four consecutive wins.
McKay is optimistic about Henry Hubber’s return.
“He is a lovely horse and he got us quite excited last season, so here’s hoping he can go on with it,” said McKay.
She further commented on Henry Hubber’s condition, noting, “He has come back super. He thickened up a bit more since last season. We brought him back in early because it gets so wet and cold down here and he has had a slow build-up.”
Regarding the upcoming race, McKay expressed her hopes for favourable track conditions.
“We are just hoping the track isn’t too heavy, I don’t want a gut buster for his first-up run.”
If all goes well on Sunday, McKay has plans to take Henry Hubber north to Canterbury next month on a path towards New Zealand Cup Week.
“At this stage, we will go to Ashburton on October 14 for an Open 1200m and then he will go to the Pegasus (Listed, 1000m) and then the Stewards (Group 3, 1200m),” she revealed.
McKay also provided insights into her other horse.
“Industrialist had a week off after Riccarton and he looks an absolute picture. He galloped up very nicely this week and I am happy with where he is at.”
However, she mentioned that The Red Kracken and Cluedo Lane have room for improvement.
“I am not happy with where his (The Red Kracken) coat is at, he has got a lot of improvement in him. His work has been very good but he is not looking as forward as I would have liked.”
She also spoke about Cluedo Lane, saying, “Cluedo Lane is a very talented horse. He disappointed us last prep, but he has had a good spell, has come back in and is working nicely. He had a quiet jump-out last week.”
She acknowledged the need to build Cluedo Lane’s confidence, saying, “In his first start in the barriers he got a hell of a fright so we are trying to get his confidence up around there. He came through his trial well and he is working up well, so here’s hoping he doesn’t get himself all worked up before the race this week.”
“I feel he will probably need it, but 1100m is perfect because he has got a fair bit of pace, but we will know more after Sunday. He will come on a lot because his coat also isn’t moving.”
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