Second Step on track

SYDNEY trainer John Steinmetz is upbeat Second Step can make a successful return from a knee injury at Taree today but it’s stablemate See Me Out that he rates as his best chance on the program.

Second Step hasn’t raced since July last year but makes her return in today’s Heat Of The Rising Star ( Benchmark 69, 1007m).

“She had a knee operation since she last raced which is why she had such a long spell,” Steinmetz said.

“She had to jump through some hoops with the stewards and she had her knee X- rayed on Friday and a specialist inspection of her trotting.

“She is sound and she lovely mare now.

“She has done well and I just really want to get her back in the racing game.”

Second Step tuned up for her return with an eye- catching second in a recent Warwick Farm trial where she could have won the trial if she wanted to.

Second Step won first- up off a long break last preparation is a by 3 ½ lengths at Bathurst and was competitive in two city races after that last campaign.

The Taree track was rated in the heavy range yesterday and that was of some concern to Steinmetz.

“I don’t think she has ever raced on a wet track,” he said.

“But she trialled nicely ( leading into this) and she has been in work a long time.

“I took longer than I normally would because I wanted to make sure everything was right.

“She has had a couple of strong gallops and a good, strong trial, so the 1000m shouldn’t be a worry.

“But the condition of track could be a problem.”

While Steinmetz expects Second Step to be in the finish, he was particularly bullish about the chances of See Me Out in the Class 1 Handicap ( 1007m) today.

“She is a good chance,” he said.

“She has only ever had one bad run in her life which was the last start when she pulled up sore.

“She would be the pick of ( my runners) only from the extent that Second Step has had a knee operation.

“It’s like seeing a footballer back on the park and you have to see them do it.

“But on her form last time in, I would be surprised if ( Second Step) doesn’t run well.”

Meanwhile, trainer Peter Evans expects Booming Annie to be competitive on debut in Race 4 today on the back of a pleasing recent trial.

The first starter was never let off the bridle when finishing third in a recent 1012m trial at Coffs Harbour.

“She is a little bit unknown but she is a nice filly,” Evans said.

“I think it will be a learning experience.

“She trialled on the heavy here the other day at Coffs.

“And she went all right against them and ( nine- time winner) Sofin was in the trial.

“She is a nice filly and it is virtually her first prep.

“She is working it out as she goes.

“I expect her to go OK.”