Trainer daring to dream despite weight of expectation

DREAMALINA hasn’t won this preparation but is knocking on the door and trainer Neil Godbolt knows she gets all the favours today in a Benchmark 65 Handicap (1007m) at Taree.

The four-year-old Dream Ahead mare has had six starts this preparation and despite only placing once, her average losing margin has been one-anda-half lengths.

She does have to carry 62kg, but she’s at her best distance, is rock hard fit and will plough through the heavy going.

She’s also won two from seven at Taree and comes out of gate one which will ensure she is in the first two entering the home straight and that’s where she produced her best run this preparation three starts back in Port Macquarie.

Godbolt said the fact it’s only a 1007m race means the big weight shouldn’t make much of a difference.

“She will race well even though she’s got plenty of weight because she handles the wet going without any worries so she’ll do well for us,” Godbolt said. “She’s never been far away but she hasn’t been able to breakthrough so far this preparation but it can happen this run. The trip is her go. She just fails to run out 1200m. I think she’s a good chance.” Godbolt decided not to use an apprentice to gain some weight relief.

“We just haven’t had the rides we would have liked with apprentices so we’ve opted to go with a senior rider,” he said.