Midnight Runner, the evergreen nine-year-old galloper, is gearing up for a strong finish to his current racing campaign as he heads to Wingatui on Thursday.
Trainer John Phillips is optimistic about Midnight Runner’s performance, especially given his recent consistent form, with placements in four of his last five starts.
While expressing confidence in Midnight Runner, Phillips does acknowledge a significant concern—the hefty 61kg impost on the seasoned campaigner.
However, the assistance of apprentice jockey Elen Nicholas, who carries a two-kilogram claim, will bring the weight down to a more manageable 59kg.
“He has been going really well and he is as honest as the day is long,” Phillips remarked about Midnight Runner’s recent form.
“The old fella has come through his run well. He is a pretty seasoned campaigner, and he is used to carrying big weights now.”
Reflecting on the upcoming race, Phillips highlighted the challenge of competing against top sprinters but expressed confidence in Midnight Runner’s capabilities.
The trainer is particularly pleased to have Elen Nicholas back on board, citing her previous successful rides with Midnight Runner.
“She has ridden him a couple of times for a couple of placings. She is going well – she has got a nice seat on her and gets down nice and low on the animals, and they run for her. It is good to have her on.”
As retirement looms for Midnight Runner, Phillips shared plans for a potential final preparation next year before the horse concludes his racing career. Midnight Runner, a gift to Phillips from former owners, has been a stalwart in the trainer’s barn, accumulating impressive stats with 17 seconds, nine wins, and approximately $250,000 in stakes.
“He has won about $250,000 in stakes and had 17 seconds and nine wins for us. His record is great,” Phillips noted, expressing the sentiment that it will be a poignant moment when Midnight Runner eventually leaves the stable for retirement.
In addition to Midnight Runner, Phillips will also field two other runners on Thursday—Tiger Fire and Darcee Que. Tiger Fire is anticipated to be more competitive over an extended distance, while Darcee Que, despite recent performance challenges, is expected to benefit from a firmer track over a mile.
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