Trainer Mike Reed admits he has been puzzled by smart pacer Golden State’s drop in form over the past month, as he looks to rediscover it ahead of tomorrow night’s Group 1 Yes Loans 4YO Classic (2130m) at Gloucester Park.
Golden State finished at the tail of the field in the 4YO Championship a fortnight ago, beaten 40m by Mighty Conqueror.
Reed has again made changes to Golden State’s gear and said he had made adjustments to his work during the week.
“I haven’t hobbled him this week, I did that on Saturday,” he said.
“We gave him a gallop on Tuesday and he worked well.
“I don’t know what’s gone wrong with him, he’s eating well.
“His work has been good on the track, he’s been blowing Bechers Brook and Maczaffair away.”
Golden State has drawn barrier four for the feature event tomorrow night, with Reed’s son Mark to again take the drive.
Reed said he hoped Golden State would be driven positively at the start and felt race favourite Ana Malak could be crossed in barrier one.
Reed also has Bechers Brook engaged in the $125,000 event, with Shannon Suvaljko to take the drive from barrier 12.
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Bechers Brook is rated a $34 chance with TABtouch and Reed said the son of Somebeachsomewhere would need the race to be run truly for him to be in the finish.
“We probably have to play for luck with him,” he said.
“We have to hope the speed is on and if that’s the case he will be coming home strong.
“I have told Shannon to be patient with him tomorrow night.
“Whatever he does tomorrow night, he will improve on for the Nugget.”
Arguably Reed’s best chance of the night comes up in the $30,000 Howard Porter Memorial (2130m), with star mare Maczaffair rated a $1.14 chance with TABtouch.
Maczaffair was an unlucky fourth to Eden Franco at Group 2 level last week, but has drawn barrier one tomorrow night and Reed said he expected the mare the bounce back.
“She’s flying,” he said.
“She worked home in 55.3 on Wednesday and she was bolting.
“We won’t be handing up to anyone tomorrow night.”
Reed said Maczaffair would progress to the Group 1 Mares Classic next week, as would Our Angel Of Harlem, following her second placing last week.
Tim Walker