It isn’t easy solo-training from remote parts of New Zealand against horses who have won a lot more races than your own, but Thames conditioner Paul Springall knows if he wants to carry training on he is left with no other option.
The only horse he has in work – Sheza Springfield, will take on the tighter assessed pacers in the feature event at the Harness Racing Waikato meeting at Cambridge Raceway on Sunday.
Sheza Springfield will start from barrier four in the 10-strong $7,000 Four-Year-Old Emerald Winner Field Marshall Mobile in the C2 to C5 (with conditions) Pace.
“It’s not easy bowling around the track on your own here in Thames and that’s why Nicky Chilcott will race her for her next few starts.
“It’s also not easy taking on horses who have won seven (Major Change and Thomas McBride) and eight (Princess Kate) races. My girl has only won four races, and she’s also up against Max Phactor who set a track record recently.
“It’s not going to be easy, and she can run in the money, but what alternative do we have? I’m sure Nicky will get the best out of her on Sunday,” Springall said.
The 69-year-old trainer is experiencing his best season yet thanks to the three wins won this year by the only horse he works.
Sheza Springfield won at Manawatu in April, Cambridge Raceway on May 20 and then Alexandra Park last Friday (June 3).
“Not many trainers win two of their last three races so I must be doing something right, but I feel now is the time for Nicky to get her more hardened.
“She’s four now and done all of her growing, so I’ll probably line her up again next season before I think about the broodmare’s paddock with her,” Springall said.
The daughter of Attorney General and the un-raced Soky’s Atom mare Kandy Gloss, has now won four of her 28 starts and three from 19 this season.
She paid $8.80 when winning in 2:44.7 (mile rate 2:00.4) in the hands of Chilcott last week. Sunday’s race is also a 2200m mobile – a distance which has seen the brown mare win three times. She’s also two of her 14 starts at Cambridge.
“Nicky has been a great help and has driven the mare well. It’s going to be tough on Sunday. Max Phactor, Princess Kate and Thomas McBride look the toughest for my mare to beat,” said Springall, who who also owns Sheza Springfield.
Springall, who lives in the southwestern Coromandel Peninsula town, is a Thames Harness Racing committee member, and has won six races and placed 16 times, since he took out his trainer's licence in 2008.
When HRNZ contacted him he was sitting in a barber’s chair in Thames.
Duane Ranger