BlairEdie crossing fingers

WESTERN Southland trainer Stephen BlairEdie is not getting carried away about Come Fly With Me’s chances in the Winton Cup at Gore tomorrow, despite her ninelength last start victory on the track.

The 9yrold made it career win number 13 when she bolted away from one of her main rivals, Nomen Ludi, in an open 1800m event at Gore late last month.

BlairEdie had Come Fly With Me primed to run a big race on the heavy 11 rated track in that race, even though the mare had not started since June.

‘‘She has been in work through the winter, just ticking away, so I knew she would be fit enough,’’ the trainer said.

‘‘She has come through that well and seems good.’’

Now BlairEdie is hopeful his mare can down Nomen Ludi and the handy line up of gallopers she faces in tomorrow’s 2000m again.

He is wary, though, that she may face slightly different conditions this time around, despite the track being likely to be rated in the same heavy 11 category.

‘‘I walked the track last time and I didn’t think it was too bad.

‘‘It could be different on Sunday and if it chops up on the rail after a lot of horses have been through it, it will be hard for her.’’

A heavy and welltrodden track should not be a problem for Nomen Ludi or several other of the Winton Cup runners.

The Ellis Winsloetrained galloper has only missed a top five placing on a heavy track once in nine starts.

Nomen Ludi (58kg) will meet Come Fly With Me (57kg) 1kg better off than in their last clash at Gore.

Come Fly With Me made it to her favoured position in the lead in her last start.

But it does not look as simple for the mare to control tomorrow’s race.

Stablemates Orepuki Lad (56.5kg) and Riviera Rock (52kg) are also noted frontrunners.

Orepuki Lad comes in to the event after disappointing in to spring runs.

Orepuki Lad and Riviera Rock both come in to the event after running in Lochan Ora’s North Canterbury Cup at Riccarton.

Orepuki faded out and ran tenth, while Riviera Rock went a good race, fighting on to run a close up seventh.

Galway Garry (51kg) also brings Riccarton form to the Winton Cup.

The Kelvin and Aimee Tylertrained 5yrold will return to racing on rainaffected ground after running a solid fifth in the New Zealand Cup trial on a dead Riccarton track.

Galway Garry had produced brilliant form on heavy tracks before that, including two premier wins at the Grand National Carnival.

Following those victories, the 6yrold went down by just a nose to Nomen Ludi in open handicap company over 1600m at Riccarton.

Galway Garry meets his rival 1kg better off than he did in that event.

❛ It could be different on Sunday and if it chops up on the rail after a lot of horses have been through it, it will be hard for her