Three three-year-olds dominate pre-race discussions for the Southland Standardbred Breeders Mobile Mile at Winton on Saturday and one of them is Seaswift Joy, but her co-trainer Gordon Lee doesn't see it is as that simple.
The scratching of Gotta Del will reduce the field size to six and Lee sees them all as threats, including Seaswift Joy's stablemate Royal Counsel who hasn't raced for 11 months..
“She was retired but didn't get in foal, we've had her back a bit over a month, she is shaping up very very well, we're very pleased with her, she's not out it,” said Lee, who trains the former Southland Oaks winner with his brother Colin, Royal Counsel's driver on Saturday.
Gordon Lee will be in the sulky of Seaswift Joy and is also pleased with her.
“She is going from strength to strength, has raced against most of the best three year old fillies and proven herself.”
Seaswift Joy has the four draw with Eamon Macguire and Delightful Memphis outside of her. An added bonus for the two fillies, Seaswift Joy and Delightful Memphis is the $2000 attached to the stake for the first of them to finish.
On a day known in the south as Wairio Mile day and previously staged in the spring, all 10 races on the programme are mobile miles. The Lees have Art Exhibit in the Southern Vet Centre Southern Belle Speed Series heat and her chances will be improved by having drawn two.
“She's a frustrating horse but if she is handy in the running and doesn't have to be used up, she is a chance,” Lee said.
Their other rep is Jeremy Jones, drawn one in the Morris Contracting Ltd Mobile Mile.
“He was a surprise favourite at Wyndham, especially being a first starter, and was a bit disappointing,” Lee said of the three year old who broke early and galloped out of contention. “He's got the draw and not the ringcraft but if he did everything right he could run in the money.”
Clark Barron has two in the same race and from the draw favours A Smart Excuse who tries a mile for the first time.
“He's been knocking on the door, got a good draw, I hope the mile suits, I think it will,” he said.
First starter Dali Bread represents Barron in the same race and the three year old goes from three on the second line. A son of Dali, he qualified in 2:45.7 a fortnight ago and won by 10 lengths. Barron said there is an element of risk with a first starter but as an introduction to racing he favours the distance.
“Sometimes they are run off their feet but generally a mile is okay first up for a young horse.”
The Rakauhauka trainer also has two in the Otautau Vets Ltd Fillies and Mares Mobile Mile and once again favours the one with the best draw, Manuka Valley over first starter Final Excuse.
“It makes a big difference,” he said of the draw. “Manuka Valley is as honest as they come, (driver) Blair (Orange) has had a good run on her. Final Excuse has a lot of ability, she can run but is a bit highly strung, not sure of her manners and the draw is against her.”
Rakarolla is the sole Barron rep left in the Southland Standardbred Breeders Mobile Mile. The five year old was on debut when he gained the first of his four wins, beating Rocker Band over a mile at Winton, and has won twice on the track since.
“He'll give an honest account of himself but is against some very good three year olds,” Barron said.
One of them, Eamon Macguire, relegated Rakarolla to runner up at Invercargill a fortnight ago in a 1:56.9 mile.
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