Rosary will make it count
BRIGHTON trainer John Luttrell takes a strong team to Elwick on Thursday with the hope of at least going home with one winner from the seven-race card.
Rosary, a recent arrival to his stable, looms as one of his best winning hopes based on the mare’s eye-catching second at her Tasmanian debut in Launceston two weeks ago.
Rosary came from well back on the home turn to finish close behind winner Rich Clan, who was the heavily backed favourite in a strong maiden over 1200m.
“I thought the race might have been a bit short for her in Launceston [1200m] and that’s how it panned out, but she really motored home to just miss,” Luttrell said.
“I can’t fault this mare in her trackwork and stepping up to 1400m is definitely in her favour.
“She only had three starts in Victoria and at her second start she ran well on a heavy track, so I’m not going to be overly concerned if we end up with a wet track.”
Premier apprentice Codi Jordan has retained the ride. Luttrell also expects a forward showing from Don’tbuckme Off that lands in a winnable benchmark 76 handicap over 1200m (race 6).
“I gave Don’tbuckme Off a fortnight off after his last start and the freshen-up has done him the world of good,” he said.
“He’s a very underrated galloper and even though he’s racing out of his grade, I expect him to be very hard to beat in a small field.”
Don’tbuckme Off has a habit of waiting for his rivals once he finds the front, but rider Jordan is aware of the trait and will no doubt attempt to time his run to perfection.
The apprentice has five rides for Luttrell, with her others being aboard John’s Lad, on whom she won at Elwick two starts back and she jumps aboard Luttrell’s mare Off Peak in the benchmark 68 over 1400m (race 5), in which she will likely start an outsider.
Jordan closes the meeting aboard Luttrell’s consistent four-year-old Nev’s Boy, who also resumes from a short let-up in a benchmark 62 handicap that is clearly the toughest race on the program.
“I really like Nev’s Boy and I think with Codi’s claim he gets in with a reasonable weight (59kg),” the trainer said.
“And he has drawn ideally in gate three, so I expect him to be a great chance of winning the last.
This meeting replaces the meeting abandoned last Saturday because of the Covid lockdown imposed in the south of the state.
All patrons will be required to wear masks throughout the complex but admission to the meeting is free.