By Jonny Turner
Kerryn Tomlinson hopes she can be the factor that gets Shards Fury a deserved win at Forbury Park on Wednesday.
The five-year-old has been very consistent since joining Brad Williamson’s barn but so far has not been able to break through.
Tomlinson has recently been at the helm of the Oamaru stable since Williamson left Australia to drive Majestic Man in his upcoming assignments.
And she is enjoying the challenge.
“It’s great, I have got Mitch Robertson here helping work the team and I get to boss him around.”
Tomlinson taking over the reins and the training from Williamson is not the only change that could help Shards Fury in race 3.
Lining up from barrier 5 will be a massive improvement for the pacer.
“It is the first time he has drawn the front row since he came here, that is the key,” Tomlinson said.
“He used to have a bit of gate speed, so hopefully he will be able to get out and get handy.”
“He has been working quite good this week, if he can get out and roll along a bit it should suit him.”
On face value, Shards Fury ran a respectable third behind Mach O’Melley in his last start at Winton.
But his team were a little disappointed with his effort and have made some gear alterations in the hope he can produce better.
“He was a wee bit disappointing last time, so we have made some gear changes and hopefully we have sorted that out,” Tomlinson said.
“With the way he has worked hopefully he will be a good chance.”
Tomlinson also combines with the Williamson trained Jaguar Bay in race 5.
The six-year-old looks to be dropping into a winnable race after running a sound sixth in her last start at Winton.
Jaguar Bay’s chances will largely rely on how she handles the Forbury Park track in her first start there.
“She had a few problems and it took her a while to come back up but she is all good now,” Tomlinson said.
“It is going to be hard because she doesn’t trot as nice on the smaller tracks.”
“If she can step away and she trots she will be a chance.”
“She has to wear a (boring) pole but she can fight it, which is why she broke at Roxburgh.”
Tomlinson has picked up a catch drive behind the Michael House trained Shillelagh in race 8 on Wednesday.
The nine-year-old’s form does not look flash but he has been racing in strong company against horses like his cup-winning stablemate Kruizr.
“I don’t know a lot about the horse to be honest, but he has obviously got a bit of ability to have won nine races,” Tomlinson said.
“He has been racing in some good fields lately and at Addington before that.”
“He could be a place chance if he gets a nice run with some cover.”
Tomlinson is looking forward to taking the reins behind the Williamson trained Rydgemont Son at Addington on Friday night.
The six-year-old made up a big slice of ground after missing away in his last start at Winton behind Springbank Mason.
“He is probably the biggest winning chance this week.”
“He missed away but he is behind the mobile this time.”
“There are a couple in there that could be hard to beat like Missalyssa and Smokin Bandar.”
“But he should go a good race.”
Rydgemont Son has drawn barrier 8 in his 1980m assignment.
