Cup race the aim for Tyler
Kelvin Tyler is hopeful but he has been through too many disappointments to be confident when it comes to gifted mare Hayley Maree.
The impressive but injury-plagued mare is one of five nominations for Tyler in the Group III eStar Winter Cup.
Fifty one nominations have been received for the 120th running of the race, at Riccarton on the opening day of the Grand National carnival.
Tyler said there are no guarantees that Hayley Maree will take her place in the field on August 5.
‘‘She’s still got a lot to do before she gets there yet,’’ he said. ’’She hasn’t had a gallop yet but she’s bowling along nicely and is not far away.’’
Tyler conceded that her current preparation would be her last if she were to strike more injury problems. ’’If she goes amiss again she’ll be off to the broodmare paddock,’’ he said.
Hayley Maree has not raced since May 28 last year because of a suspensory ligament injury and she also underwent surgery to remove three chips from a sesamoid bone.
‘‘We had her checked out again a couple of weeks ago and everything is looking good,’’ Tyler said.
The Riverton trainer won the Winter Cup in 2015 with Timy Tyler and he believes it is the perfect target for Hayley Maree.
‘‘A wet track over a mile, it’s the perfect race for her. I’d love her to get a Group win for her breeding,’’ Tyler said.
Hayley Maree will be seven by the time of the race, but the Le Bec Fin mare has only had 15 starts that yielded five wins and two seconds.
When she has the footing to suit, she has proven herself to be competitive wherever she races.
In December 2015, Hayley Maree ran fourth in the Group I Captain Cook Stakes, beating home Kawi.
Tyler’s other Winter Cup nominees include Lochan Ora, a one time favourite for the 2016 Winter Cup before running last, Timy Tyler, Flying Sardine and What’s Up Alf.
Lochan Ora has not won since July 8 last year. ’’He’s had a bit of an average season to be fair but he’s had a good break since his last start,’’ Tyler said.
Timy Tyler has only won once since his 2015 Winter Cup victory as a 40-1 shot.
Despite a number of placings spread over the North and South Island and racing between 1200 to 2100 metres, Tyler said the six-year-old son of No Excuse Needed has been a touch below par.
Flying Sardine and What’s Up Alf are Tyler’s two lesser known runners but if they can improve a couple of lengths, he was confident they would be deserving of a spot in the field.
Miss Three Stars, last year’s Winter Cup winner, is a notable nomination along with placegetters Platinum Command and Taurus.
Promising stayer Bloodstream is in the mix as is Grand Rio, a winner of three of his four starts for Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman stable.