Brent Shirley has seen a third of the season go by and his runners have made it to the races only nine times.
However, he's got four in at Winton on Sunday and a workout last Saturday suggests they won't all be just making up the numbers.
“There was a bad virus in the stable at the start of the season and it really knocked them around,” Shirley said, “it was frustrating but I've learnt from the past the wisest thing is to stop. We lost a whole month.”
Slowly but surely, things have returned to normal and that was well illustrated when stable star Costa Del Magnifico joined Winton candidates Fiddlethefool and Black Athena in a six horse one win and faster 2200 metres mobile Workout at Invercargill on 3 December.
“Black Athena led Fiddlethefool and Costa Del Magnifico, then they went together and really cracked it up at the 300,” Shirley explained.
Officially, Fiddlethefool and Costa Del Magnifico dead heated with Black Athena three quarters of a length back in third. The overall time for the trip was an ordinary 2:51.9 but the closing 800 was cut out in quarters of 29.7 and 28.1.
“They went to the line under a hold full of running and their recovery was very good,” Shirley enthused, “so was the feeling they gave you.”
Fiddlethefool resumes in the A B Lime Ltd Mobile 2400 with Nathan Williamson in the sulky. He has drawn two in his first start for two months. That was also at Winton but over a mile and all was not well with the four year old. He beat only one home when finishing nearly 15 lengths from the winner. Shirley expects a lot better on Sunday.
“He was crippled by the virus but he's back and his work has been really good,” he said, “he's done the hard yards, first up is not a problem.”
Black Athena is in the opening event, the John Keenan Memorial 2400 metre mobile. She has drawn four and will also be handled by Williamson in her first start since May. It is more than a year since her only win but Shirley is not prepare to dismiss her chances.
“Her workout against two smart horses was really good, she's done the work and should go close,” he said.
Costa Del Magnifico won't be racing on Sunday but Shirley plans to have him out in the Wairio Cup on Saturday week (17 December).
“He'll have to get race-fit so we'll give him a start off 50 metres,” Shirley said, “he'll maybe go to Gore but the main target is the Central Otago Cup.”
If Costa Del Magnifico goes to Gore on 27 December, he would again start from 50 metres behind but the group three Central Otago Cup on 2 January is a mobile start free for all.
“He's very full of beans, lets hope the virus is behind him.”
Shirley has the non-winner Swap Over in the Nevele R Stud Mobile 2400. The son of Changeover also has the services of Williamson but has drawn the outside of the second line and Shirley is not sure what to expect.
“He has a lot of ability but makes his own problems on raceday,” he said. “He's well in himself but has let the punters down in the past.”
Shirley takes the reins himself behind Iguazu Rox in the Regent Car Court C0 Claimers with no great expectations.
Mac Henry