By Jonny Turner
Trainer-driver Robbie Holmes has an in form team ready to convert their recent placings in to wins at Addington on Sunday.
Conquer Me, the full sister to Western Australian group 1 winner Mighty Conqueror is the first of five runners the Leithfield Beach horseman steps out in race 1.
A strong effort for second behind Annie Richter in her last start, after spearing to the lead, showed she is desperately close to a maiden win.
“She is the sort of horse that has just been a bit of a work in progress,” Holmes said.
“But, she is certainly starting to find the line now – she is starting to learn to grab the bit and go forward.”
“She just needed a bit of ringcraft, but her last two starts have been really strong.”
“Sunday, I wouldn’t say is an easier field, but it is her best chance of her races.”
Conquer Me was rated the $2.90 fixed odds favourite for race 1 on market opening on Saturday night.
Kahress also brings consistent recent form to race 2 for Holmes.
The 3yr-old’s gate speed should give the trainer-driver plenty of options when she starts from barrier 2.
“I think from [barrier] 2, she should be able to hold up.”
“She has certainly has been finishing her races off from behind.”
“Two starts back she found the line like a machine, to be honest, when she ran third.”
Conquer Me opened the $2.40 favourite for race 2, ahead of Justan’s Sister, who was rated at a $3.50 win price.
Kiwis Are Flying has not been able to run in to a top three placing recently, like many of Holmes’ team.
But, the 5yr-old gets his best chance to do so following lockdown when he drops in class in race 6.
Kiwis Are Flying has had to chase home stablemates Franco Niven and Hayden’s Meddle recently and got no favours when sitting parked on a strong speed in his last start.
“He has sort of been a bit unlucky, really,” Holmes said.
“We have put him in stands and he has been pinging away and getting himself too handy early – and he get left parked last time.”
“He is certainly a bit better off on Sunday.”
Kiwis Are Flying was backed in after opening at $12 in the fixed odds win market for race 6 on Saturday night.
Held To Ransom opened the favourite at $3.10, ahead of Queenofdance ($4).
Two scratchings drawn inside her means Sugarinspice moves to an important front row draw in her 2000m standing start assignment in race 8.
Like most of Holmes’ team, the 5yr-old has been in consistent form lately, running second and third in two of her last three starts.
“She is racing really consistently and I like her – she is a tough wee thing.”
“She feels like she is all done and you hook the hood off and she gives some more.”
“And she pings away – when she steps she steps good.”
The early scratchings in race 10 saw Sugarinspice move to $3.60 fixed odds favouritism on Saturday night.