Levin trainer Josh Shaw will head to New Plymouth on Friday with a trio of runners, including two maideners he is hoping can breakthrough for an elusive win.
Sweet Envy (NZ) (Sweet Orange) has been knocking on the door for some time, placing in five of her last six outings, and Shaw is hoping she can finally deliver for her connections in the NZB Mega Maiden Series (1200m).
“She has been going good races,” Shaw said. “We would ideally have liked to have gone to Otaki a couple of weeks ago when they were called off. With five weeks between runs, I have freshened her up a little bit and dropping back to 1200m in what looks like a pretty good field, she should be half a chance.”
Sweet Envy has drawn barrier one and will be ridden by Joe Doyle.
“It’s not the best place to be, but she usually jumps the lids pretty quick,” Shaw said. “If she can jump clear of them, she might be able to work her way off them and get into a position where she needs to be.”
Stablemate Predecessor (NZ) (Eminent) has placed in just one of her 14 starts to date, but TAB bookmakers have installed her a $3.70 favourite for Friday’s Bryce Revell (1600m), and Shaw shares their confidence.
“She has had a good break after her last run at Hawera, which wasn’t too bad, and she has come back and put on really good condition,” Shaw said.
“Amber (Riddell, apprentice jockey) takes a couple of kgs off, so she gets down to a nice, luxurious weight (54.5kg).
“She has had the work put into her. Even though she hasn’t had a public trial, she has had three good, solid jumpouts, so she won’t lack for fitness.
“I think she can really put her foot in the till, and I think we will see a different horse this campaign.”
Shaw’s team on Friday will be rounded out by Billy Easton (NZ) (Road To Rock), who will be second-up in the Janelle Millar (1800m) after finishing last in his first-up assignment over 1700m last month following an 18-month break.
“He is a mate. After Hinepara and Faraglioni have gone, he’s been there right the way through,” Shaw said. “He is just here to keep everyone in check.
“I put him aside and gave him a long break, he had been in the stable from a two-year-old to a six-year-old, so he enjoyed a bit of downtime.
“In-between times he came in and did a bit of work with the babies and got them going. He has always been in and around the stables, I have just never really pushed the button on him. This time he has filled out a little bit and he is going very well.
“Whatever he does on Friday, he will improve on.”
Meanwhile, Shaw has been pleased with the way Chart The Stars has come through her last-start victory over 1200m on Awapuni’s synthetic track last month.
A half-sister to Shaw’s former Group One performer Faraglioni, Chart The Stars has shown Shaw plenty at home, but he said he is playing the waiting game with the four-year-old daughter of U S Navy Flag.
“She has come through that win really well,” Shaw said. “She is a bit above average in ability.
“She has gone to another level. I gave her 10 days in the paddock after that race, and I am just really waiting for better tracks.
“It is a bit of a pain having to sit on your hands waiting for the better tracks, but they will come eventually and when they do, she will be putting her best foot forward.”