Stars align to give Force a big chance
NOTHING went right in Natural Force’s last run but the worlds are aligning for what promises to be a race of redemption on the Gold Coast today.
Natural Force finished a disappointing 13th from 15 runners at Eagle Farm at his last outing but Gold Coast trainer Gary Doughty is confident the five-year-old gelding is poised for an improved performance in today’s Ratings Band 0-75 Handicap (1400m).
There are many reasons why Doughty believes the $8.50 chance will be among the contenders.
First, he is dropping back from Saturday metropolitan class to provincial.
He is also dropping 2kg to have 57kg on his back, he will jump from alley four and he loves nothing more than a bit of give in the track.
To top it off, the horse
Doughty thought would win – Sister Patti – is scratched.,
“He is going good,” Doughty said. “He didn’t do too much the other day but we will forget about that.
“His run before that, he did well and he doesn’t mind a bit of sting out of the ground which we are going to get.
“We got 13mm last night which will make it a bit soft.
“He is a good each-way chance. It’s not a strong field. I thought Les Ross’s horse (Sister Patti) was the hardest to beat and it’s out. The drop in weight and distance, coming back from 1500m, will help him.”
It will be the 10th run of Natural Force’s preparation, which has included two wins and came after nearly a year out of racing due to injury.
“He is only a lightly raced horse with 22 runs and he had a year off with a bit of a tendon injury,” Doughty said.
“He is never far away and had a freshen up between races so he is still going well.”