Clinton Isdale will be represented by two strong chances at Riccarton on Saturday and he’ll also be keeping a close watch on a pair of other runners on the program.
The Cambridge trainer’s prospects are headed by Listed Pegasus Stakes (1000m) contender Is That So, with Mahoe to tackle the Gold Club Premier Handicap (2000m).
Isdale also shares in the ownership of Words Of Mine, who runs in The Ned Fashions 13 & 16 Premier (1600m), with trainers John and Karen Parsons and also races stablemate and Scenic Hotel Group Premier (1200m) hope Funfetti.
Short course performer Is That So has won five races up to 1200m, finished runner-up in the Listed Lightning Handicap (1200m) and was luckless when unplaced in the Group 1 Telegraph (1200m) earlier this year.
“He was just chiming in when he got taken out by a riderless horse, but that’s racing,” part-owner Isdale said.
“He doesn’t really like going around a bend and with how wet Trentham has been lately we thought we’d send him down (to Riccarton) for a better track.
“He travelled nicely and has been eating well, the travel was the least of my worries with him.”
To be ridden by Michael McNab, Is That So will go into the Pegasus second-up following his resuming effort for fifth at Ellerslie last month.
“He had a nice blow after that run and he’s improved quite a bit since,” Isdale said.
He expects Is That So to take further benefit from this outing and will then back up seven days later in the Listed Stewards Stakes (1200m).
The eight-year-old son of Sufficient has been patiently handled with just 24 starts on the board.
“I actually got him thinking he’d make a jumper, so he’s made a fool of us,” Isdale said.
“I never broke him in until he was a four-year-old and then when he did have his first start he went shin sore, so I gave him another three or four months off.”
Meanwhile, travelling partner Mahoe was unplaced two runs back before an improved effort for third at New Plymouth and is expected to give Englishman Kevin Stott a good ride.
“He needs a decent track and in the Waverley Cup (2200m) he led and couldn’t quicken, it was a bit wet and not as good as we thought it would be,” Isdale said.
“He was a lot better last time and he’ll be thereabouts on Saturday and it’s the first time he’s had a strong senior rider on him in a while.”
Isdale has also been encouraged by reports from the Parsons stable on the chances of Words Of Mine, to be partnered by Tina Comignahi, and Funfetti, the mount of Leah Hemi.
“Words Of Mine’s last run was good, she got home well and she’ll be hard to beat,” he said.
“Funfetti trained off a bit and then had a good spell and Karen and John said she’s been working well, so she’ll give a good account of herself.”
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