By Jonny Turner
Trainer Bruce Negus hopes Corravally Star can find clear air among the wide-open spaces of Rangiora’s grass track on Sunday.
The quality three-year-old comes into race 10 after going to the line untested in his last start at Addington.
With the seventh placegetter in the group 1 Sires Stakes Final on New Zealand Cup Day best driven for one run, driver Jessica Young-Grant’s tactics are unlikely to change in the 2600m special handicap.
So, Negus is hoping this time, the breaks can go Corravally Star’s way.
“He has just had no luck and he went super races in the big ones when he was driven cold,” the trainer said.
“He has to be driven cold, he has got such a good sprint.”
“If he gets a good run – he never got clear air the other day – I would imagine he would be in the first three for sure.”
“I’m pretty happy with his work.”
Corravally Star has a one-from-one record on grass after winning his maiden at Methven in September.
The three-year-old is so effective on turf Negus plans to venture south to the Tancred Stakes at Gore on December 27 with the horse.
“I am actually going to bring him down to Gore next week.”
“He is very, very good on the grass and there is a three-year-old race worth $15,000.”
Negus starts his day with two runners in race 2 in Perfect Cut and Play By Ear.
Perfect Cut disappointed when seventh in his last run at Timaru, earlier this month.
The performance was put down to the pacer not backing up eight days after he ran third at Addington.
“I’m not so sure he backed up that well at Timaru,” Negus said.
“He hadn’t raced for a wee while when he got third at Addington.”
“It may have taken everything he had for the week.”
“He has worked good since and whilst he hasn’t had a trial I would expect a forward showing.”
Perfect Cut starts from barrier 1 with Play By Ear following him out from behind the mobile on the second row.
Play By Ear has galloped in his last two starts, but those mistakes could be put down to circumstances.
“Last time he galloped he had had a hard run and he was tired and he got chopped.”
“He didn’t gallop free of interference, he got squeezed up.”
“The start before was a stand and if he had gone away I am sure he would have run first or second.”
“I am very happy with his work.”
“He is following his stablemate out, who is actually a pretty good beginner and a likely leader.”
“For what it is worth I think they can both run in the first four.”
Negus also lines up two runners in race 11 in Dreaminsover and Highland Reign.
Like Play By Ear, Dreaminsover also starts from barrier 1 on the second row.
“He was really unlucky last start and the start before that he was only beaten half a length on the grass at Motukarara.”
“So, I think he is probably our best upset runner of the day.”
Highland Reign is coming to the end of her racing career and is running out of chances to add to her seven wins on grass.
“We have been waiting for a wet track because she loves the wet.”
“She is in foal to Always B Miki and she will only have a few more races if she doesn’t pick up.”
“She went very good at Orari after she had a week of being trained on the beach, I can’t help but think that is where she will go back to.”
“So, we will take her to Gore and leave her on the beach for a wee bit, for two or three starts, then we will retire her.”
