By Jonny Turner
A massive weekend for Graeme Anderson and his owners starts at Winton on Friday.
Anderson and training partner Mike Love line up three strong chances at Central Southland Raceway.
Then on Saturday night their former stable star Spirit Of St Louis, who Anderson and his fellow owners still share in the ownership of, starts in the Miracle Mile.
Making an even bigger weekend bigger, Anderson and some of Spirit Of St Louis’ owners even have a galloper starting at Wingatui on Saturday.
Anderson and Love step out their smart three-year-old Cantfindabettor man for the first time since he started in Franco Indie’s Group One Sires Stakes Final in Friday’s Southern Supremacy Stakes heat.
Though he has just had one workout to prepare for his return, Anderson thinks his horse is forward enough to show his class.
“He is up to the mark, he had a nice trial the other day against a pretty awful lot but his work has been good and he is jumping out of his skin.”
“It is a tough race first up, obviously we don’t want to murder him first up, it is strong enough but he has got a nice draw.”
Gotta Elect Bill starts for just the second time from the Anderson-Love stable in race 2 on Friday.
The pacer ran roughly in the home straight first up at Oamaru last weekend before hitting the line strongly for third.
The only concern Anderson has going into the Winton meeting is the horse’s barrier 1 draw.
“He missed a trial at Oamaru, he got a little bit rough in his gait but I have put an overcheck on him and made some changes this week.”
“He has got a bit of ability, I do like him, but one is probably not his best draw – for one of those horses that is inexperienced.”
“If he goes to come out he might want to charge it and get things wrong.”
“But if he comes out and he’s two or three back on the fence he should be OK.”
Ariella will be out to continue her very consistent form for the Anderson-Love stable in race 11 on Friday.
The mare ran a nice second to Percy in her last start at Oamaru.
Though she appeared to lose concentration late in the race, Anderson didn’t offer any excuses for what was still a strong performance.
A slight change in gear could be the difference that helps Ariella go one better on Friday.
“I have put a hood with slits on it to see if it will help her run through the line.”
“She had the race won the other day, but the other horse did run an awfully good quarter to get up from three back on the fence.”
“But she is well and she’s got a good draw (4) so that will help.”
Spirit Of St Louis has drawn barrier 2 in the Miracle Mile on Saturday night raising hopes he could be in for a sweet trip behind his stablemate and the race favourite King Of Swing.
