By Jonny Turner
Wayne Adams heads to Winton on Sunday with two solid winning hopes – or in other words, most of his racing team.
Adams doesn’t have the numbers he once did in his Ascot Park stable, but the horseman who has churned out a line of outstanding pacers still has a bit of quality to work with.
Few would have missed the outstanding last-start performance of Forever Arden, who made a huge recovery from an early break to run second at Wyndham last week.
Adams is hopeful of a more polished performance from the pacer in race 6 at Wyndham.
But that will be up to the horse having his brain engaged.
“There is no doubt the ability is there, but we haven’t ironed him out yet,” Adams said.
“He can do a few things wrong, like he did at Wyndham, but he is usually not too bad.”
“It is all in his head, really; he is a nice horse but he is still learning.”
“Hopefully, he can get it right on Sunday.”
Forever Arden was runner-up behind an outstanding winner in Miraculous in a strong maiden field, which looks outstanding form.
But he takes on another above-average line-up, including Tycoon Banner and Robyn’s Hustler.
Adams will also start Claasee in Sunday’s opener.
The filly ran on late for fifth in her last start at Wyndham after starting from barrier 7. Coming into the ace draw over a mile on Sunday, Claasee looks right in race 1.
“She has gone two good races so far; her fifth the other day was a handy run,” Adams said.
“Coming into one should be a help to her. She is a handy mare, and she isn’t far away from winning a maiden.”
Forever Arden and Claasee will both be driven by Rory McIlwrick.
Airwaves looks another key drive for the reinsman on Thursday.
The pacer went an outstanding race for second at Wyndham last week when first up without the benefit of a workout or trial.
Airwaves should strip fitter for that run and again give his rivals something to catch in race 4.