Winter Options Open For Mare
- Tuesday, 08 June 2010 06:45
Trainer Peter Healey is keeping his options open with handy mare Justsay Sumthink as the winter rains soften Melbourne's racetracks.
The seven-year-old missed her chance to compete in last year's Winter Championship Final as an emergency but she is in the mix again this year after a last-start third to Jungle Ruler and Afterburn in a 1400m heat at Cranbourne on May 30.
Despite the encouraging effort, Healey has moved away from pursuing other heats and will run Justsay Sumthink in Wednesday's Nunkalowe Handicap (1400m) at Sandown to capitalise on her liking for heavy tracks.
"Wet tracks are her go," Healey said.
He said he had spaced Justsay Sumthink's runs this campaign while waiting for rain and two starts ago she found form on heavy ground with a third to Al's Best Mate at Sandown.
"She is racing super," Healey said.
"It was a really good run at Sandown and at Cranbourne she had some really good horses behind her."
The beaten brigade included Trustus, True Tales, Clandon and Our Smoking Joe.
Healey said at this stage the Winter Championship wasn't a priority for Justsay Sumthink but he hasn't ruled it out.
"For the moment we are just trying to target mares' races while we can," Healey said.
He said the Winter Championship Final (1600m), which is at Flemington on July 10, was always a hot race and he doesn't want to waste runs at this stage of Justsay Sumthink's career when she is not a genuine winning chance.
"If there was a chance of a wet track we would be tempted to go for it (the Winter Championship) but you need a fair bit going for you to win a race like that," Healey said.
"It is very difficult for a mare to win a race like that."
Dean Yendall will ride Justsay Sumthink at Sandown where she will carry 58.5kg.
The Mark Kavanagh-trained Lamarr has the same weight while Cameo Minx resumes with topweight of 59kg after twice winning at Sandown last spring.
Healey's other top chance of the day is Cheronbutch who is unbeaten in two starts this campaign at Ballarat and Sandown.
The Testa Rossa gelding has only raced 10 times for four wins and Healey believes he has an exciting future.
"We just have to see where we go with him," Healey said.
"After this he might have only one more run this time in.
"He is looking very good and we want to look after him."
Pictures: Colin Bull
