By Mac Henry
Cran Dalgety will have three runners at Winton on Saturday and despite each of them having the outside draw, his chances of success look bright.
Two year old filly Millwood Daisy debuted in a Magness Benrow Fillies heat at Timaru a fortnight ago and appeared to go out in sympathy when her stablemate Major Rocket broke turning for home. She has drawn eight of eight in the Murray Gray
Memorial Two Year Old Fillies Mobile Mile on Saturday and Dalgety rates her.
“She’s a well above average filly, it’s a challenge going from the outside of the gate but she’s up to the challenge,” he said.
Three year old filly Talkerup won her first three before managing only sixth in the PGG Yearling Sales Three Year Old Fillies Final earlier this month. She drew 10, went out favourite for the feature, got a cart up three wide, sat parked for the last 1000 metres but didn’t kick in the straight. Talkerup has drawn 13 of 13 in the Hydro Fillies and mares Mobile Mile at Winton.
“She was off her best when the big stakes were up, had a bad draw and looped the field when the pace was on,” Dalgety said, “she’ll be a good prospect (at Winton) though.”
Three year old gelding Alpha Rock won his first three before finishing a game second on the grass at Methven last week, after racing without cover for the last lap. He goes from 13 of 13 in the Marley Products Mobile 2400 on Saturday but looks a top hope.
“He’s a big horse, quite powerful and the trip away will improve him,” said Dalgety, confirming qualification for the Southern Supremacy Stakes is the other reason for traveling so far. Similarly, qualification for the Southland Oaks is the reason for Talkerup coming south.
Sharing that aim is the locally-owned Nek Time who is one of Talkerup’s opponents at Winton and goes from the outside of the second line. At her previous start she drew three and took out the PGG Wrightson Harness 5000 at Addington. Her co-trainer Terry Chmiel acknowledges it might be harder on Saturday.
“She’s got a bad marble, she’ll have to go forward over a mile and that will make it hard,” he said.
Nek Time won over a mile at Ashburton on Boxing Day in 1:54.7.
Stablemate Gotta Classie Girl has the three draw in the Reliance Worldwide Fillies and Mares Mobile. In her most recent outing, she finished fourth at Forbury Park on 17 February. Chmiel said she has been with Amber Hoffman at the beach since that run, has improved and has drawn well.
Paul Court has RR Sand Dollar in the Metrix Bathroom Ware Mobile 2400 to complete qualification for the Southland Oaks. She finished second to Nek Time at Addington prior to winning at Wyndham last week.
“She’s a real nice filly, she needed time to get her gait together but is thriving on racing now, the draw (inside of second line) will be the biggest barrier for her.”
Stablemate Mongolian Archer comes up against Alpha Rock on Saturday and has the ace draw to assist him. A winner at Alexandra Park in December, he raced at Wyndham last week and although only two and a half lengths from the winner, was ninth.
“I was initially disappointed but when I put the clock on it it was an okay run,” Court said, “he didn’t have a trial after he came back from Auckland so has improved with the race, he’ll be much fitter this week.”
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