Shards Halo is ready to turn her form line around at Oamaru on Sunday on the strength of a trial win.
She is among prospects for the Temuka stable of Brent White, who has enjoyed his best season with 28 wins.
White has had his team based at the Timaru racecourse, 18km south of Temuka, the past 10 days due to the wet weather. He returned home on Friday.
“It was pretty wet at home,’’ he said. He scratched Shards Halo and Mistacullect at Rangiora last Sunday in the wake of the weather event.
Shards Halo has only managed three minor placings in 11 starts this season.
“She was tying up and had some hormonal problems. She really hit the line strongly in her trial win and her work has been good since,’’ said White.
”She has let me down before and I am hoping this is not the case again.’’
Shards Halo won the trial at Ashburton on July 11, by two lengths from Glenferrie Classic with a nose to her stablemate Pay Me Art.
She ran her last 800m in 56.8.
“I was pleased with Pay Me Art as he gave them a good start,’’ said White.
Pay Me Art, a last start winner at Palmerston North on May 25, is in Race 9, along with Mistacullect, The latter has had a first up win at Forbury Park and a fourth at Ashburton in two starts.
Pay Me Art is the back marker on 25m over 2600m.
White is without stable reinsman Stephen McNally, who is on holiday in Australia. Craig Thornley and Ricky May are the substitutes.
Thornley is on Shards Halo, Mistacullect, Christmas Toyboy and Petite’s Blue Chip. May has been engaged for Pay Me Art, Lindsay Castleton and Wobbegong.
Lindsay Castleton has been at the beach in the care of Amber Hoffman at Waikouaiti since he last raced on June 29.
“I suggested to his owners (Lex and Heather Williams) that he go to the beach for some straight line training. Amber has been happy with his work,’’ said White.
Lindsay Castleton (Race 4) has been disappointing since he won at Oamaru and Addington (twice) in the spring.“Christmas Toyboy got off on the wrong foot last time after his good second first up (to Mikey Maguire at Timaru).
I have got him on the unruly hoping he won’t charge out this time.’’
Wobbegong and Petite’s Blue Chip are rivals in Race 8. Wobbegong, a useful fourth at Addington last time out, won at Oamaru 12 months ago.
Tayler Strong