TREGEA FINDS IT HARD TO PRIORITISE HIS PAIR
THE market says Niccanova but trainer Steve Tregea is finding it tough to split him with reformed money-muncher Prioritise in the Listed Recognition Stakes at Doomben on Saturday.
Niccanova opened the $3.60 favourite for the Recognition (1350m) with Ladbrokes, while Prioritise is an $8 chance.
“Niccanova has the hype on him and he’s going to get the good run in the race you would think,” Tregea said.
“But if everything was to fall into place for Prioritise, I would find it hard to go for one or the other.”
But Tregea concedes it’s a big “if” with Prioritise, who likes to have things on his own terms in races.
“He just needs something to guide him, I think,’’ he said. “The rail or a horse. When he’s back in the field under pressure (he doesn’t like it).
“In a longer race, the more leisurely pace gives him time to travel into the bridle.
“If he could get up one out, one back that would be ideal but then I wouldn’t want a horse to come around and close him in.
“I’d be happy if he had 14 alley, put it that way.”
After winning four of his first six starts, Prioritise was then beaten six times as favourite, before getting his act together last preparation.
He comes into Saturday’s race having won his past four on end, ironically, none of those as favourite.
Conversely, Niccanova has mostly been a reliable conveyance, winning six of his 11 starts, including four of six as favourite.
“He hasn’t taken a backward step since he won last time,” Tregea said.