Bill Thurlow will be represented far and wide in the coming days, although his southern-most runner is on a one-way ticket.
He has bid farewell to Rebal Agent (NZ) (Complacent) who will make his final appearance under the Waverley trainer’s name when he lines up in the Speights Rating Handicap (1600m) at Wingatui on Friday.
The son of Complacent has a win and six placings from 13 appearances, but connections believe he will be better placed in the South Island on a permanent basis.
“He’ll be staying down there and will go on to Steven Prince, so he won’t be coming home,” Thurlow said.
“The owners think he’s probably met his level up here and they’ve got plenty of others and decided to put their money into the younger ones, which is fair enough.”
Meanwhile, Thurlow is hoping No Rain Ever can return to her best in the KPMG Mile (1600m) at Te Rapa where the daughter of No Nay Never will be partnered by Warren Kennedy.
Last season’s Listed Warstep Stakes (2000m) winner has a couple of third placings and a last-start sixth at Wanganui from her most recent appearances.
“She’s had been a tad disappointing, but she has had a few niggly problems,” Thurlow said.
“We think we’ve ironed them out and got her back on track.
“She needs a good track and we’re always going to struggle this time of the year, but it looks like we might just be lucky enough to get a reasonable one on Saturday.
“The weights are a bit compressed with Harlech (NZ) (Darci Brahma) in there, it’s a bit of a shame and there are horses above her that probably should have more weight than her under normal circumstances.”
No Rain Ever’s immediate program will firstly depend on her performance at Te Rapa and next week’s forecast.
“If it stayed really good, there’s a faint chance she could back up at Wanganui (Listed AGC Training Stakes, 1600m) but if it rained that just wouldn’t happen,” Thurlow said.
“She was going to run last Sunday (at Hawera), but it turned on us when it rained so we late scratched her.”
Thurlow will also have three runners at New Plymouth on Saturday and tipped Towrope (NZ) (Zacinto) as the stable’s best when he steps out in the Wash Squad Maiden (1600m) with apprentice Jim Chung to ride the Zacinto gelding.
He has gone close to breaking through several times with seven placings to his credit and has had a trial to fit him for his return.
“He’s probably our best chance, I’m happy with him fresh-up for the mile,” Thurlow said.
Merchant Navy filly Pinhook will take aim at the AB Electrical 3YO (1400m) while Our Lady Brooke (NZ) (Derryn) resumes in the Landmark Homes Handicap (1600m). “Pinkhook was disappointing in her last run for no reason, she was a bit woeful but has been working really well and Our Lady Brooke has trialled and jumped out, but she may a run,” Thurlow said.