Skychi ready for breakthrough
Stratford-trained Skychi could finally breakthrough for an overdue win on the New Plymouth track on Friday.
The six-year-old Citi Habit-Sky Horizon mare has had three starts on the course for three placings and will have her share of supporters in the day’s feature, the $12,000 NZB Insurance Pearl Series R65 1400m.
Trainer Chris Bothwell said Skychi had come back well from a spell, resuming with a brave third in testing conditions at Stratford and then a fifth at Waverley.
‘‘She’s been training well. She’s not great on heavy tracks, but always tries hard. She’s pretty genuine,’’ he said. ‘‘Her third first up was a good run, a real gutbuster. It was a hard slog that day. We dropped her back to 1200m at Waverley and she ran on well. The 1400m will suit her nicely.’’
Bothwell said the 2kg allowance with apprentice Leah Hemi in the saddle would help.
‘‘Leah gets on really well with her. She’s pretty strong willed and Leah knows her.’’
Matamata-trained Fortune Kept looks the obvious danger and is the likely race favourite.
Fortune Kept finished third on the course last start after being promoted from fourth on August 22.
Brown Girl, a cheeky second at Avondale last start, will appreciate the 3kg claim by apprentice Dylan Mo, while New Plymouth trainer John Wheeler has Runway resuming after a break. Despite the top weight of 59kg, Runway has the class to figure in the finish.
Bothwells has two other horses lining up at New Plymouth – Hi Fiver and Gordys Gesture.
Hi Fiver could be at good odds in race four, the Stella Artois Maiden 1400m. The five-year-old mare ran an improved race at Waverley, battling on late to finish fourth and with Hemi claiming an allowance could give some cheek.
Gordys Gesture has had two starts for an eighth and an improver’s third at Hawera. The five-year-old gelding is sure to be well supported in the Echoes of Heaven@Linwood Park Maiden.