Mikeys set for big run

Potiris sees good improvement

INNISFAIL trainer Stephen Potiris is expecting to see further improvement from former Victorian mare Mikeys Turf in her fourth start for his stable this afternoon.

The four-year-old, previously trained by the Caulfield-based Grahame Begg, broke her maiden status at Moe in June of last year, as well as running three other placings around Melbourne.

The bay mare failed to live up to city grade in Victoria but has shown to be quickly competitive in north Queensland.

Mikeys Turf has been just over three lengths behind the winner in each of her three races for Potiris and would have finished much closer last start in a Class 3 Plate if she found clear running.

In-form rider Wanderson D’Avila finally found some space in the Townsville straight that day over 1400m and she did her best work over the concluding 200m.

Stable hoop Mark Elliott replaces D’Avila this afternoon in the $17,000 Benchmark 69 Handicap (1400m) and Potiris, the 2014 winner of the Cairns

Amateurs Cup, says his mare has only improved from that run in late December.

“She has drawn outside gates in all of her three starts up here and she has another one here,” Potiris said.

“She would have been right up with them last start if she found some room, we were really happy with that run.

“She has come on really good from that run.

“She is now on the minimum weight and I would expect her to run really well at Townsville.

“She is likely to have this run and then go for a break.”

The Cassowary Coast yard of Potiris has been busy acquiring new horses of late and the experienced trainer is optimistic stayer Rocco will be a threat in this year’s Magic Millions Up and Coming Stayers Series.

Rocco has won up to 2000m, when with Saab Hasan in Victoria, and since transferring to Potiris, the gelding has two thirds in southeast Queensland and will have his next preparation in the north.

“He will have a spell now and we will bring him back later in the year,” Potiris said.

“He is a nice horse and will make the grade up here.”

Meanwhile, Grey Missile has settled nicely into life on the Gold Coast, running third in a trial earlier this week.

The former Tolga-based sprinter sat at the back of the field over 1000m before showing his usual sharp turn of foot to finish 1.5 lengths behind the winner.

Previously trained by master horseman Roy Chillemi, the Cleveland Bay winner is now in the yard of Toby and Trent Edmonds.