Moon rises after break
TRAINER Helen Page will treat the 900m sprint at the Gold Coast today as a barrier trial for returning mare Reindeer Moon.
Like her Christmasthemed name, Reindeer Moon will appear for the first time in around a year when she races in the BenchMark 65 Handicap at Aquis Park.
It could be a long-awaited hat-trick for the mare who recorded back-to-back wins at Beaudesert in April last year before enjoying a long break.
The time between her runs has lowered Page’s expectations for her first-up run after choosing not to trial the horse before going to the races.
“She had a big, long spell so we will be treating this like a barrier trial,” Page said.
“We gave her a good break. She is a lovely big mare and the extra time out has helped her.”
Page had so much belief in Reindeer Moon’s ability she took her straight to Brisbane on debut where she placed fifth after two trials at the Gold Coast.
It was followed by a last place at Doomben after jumping from barrier 10 before her success at Beaudesert.
The results in town have done nothing to shake Page’s confidence that Reindeer Moon has the quality of a city runner.
“There was a bad barrier and a wet track so I’m not too worried about that,” Page said.
“She is a horse who I think is above average but we are starting off low key. The tracks are very hard and we just want to take her to the races.
“We will keep trying to place her and give her a chance in life.”
Page also has a good chance with Charming Prince in the Class 2 Handicap (1400m).