Trainer John Shelton reckons Be Afraid is more like a duck than a racehorse, such is the mare’s penchant for rain-affected conditions.
“When it comes to wet tracks some horses are ducks, some aren’t,” Shelton said.
“Be Afraid is a duck, a real swimmer. She just loves heavy tracks.
“It’s not that she goes any quicker, it’s just most horses don’t handle it as good as she does which brings her right into the race.”
The six-year-old mare will chase her third win since entering Shelton’s Grafton stables in the Trevor Mead Quality Meats Class 3 Hcp (1310m) at Ballina on Sunday.
A predicted heavy track will suit the daughter of Dangerous admirably.
Be Afraid, unbeaten in two starts on heavy tracks, came to Shelton by chance.
“An unexpected phone call out of the blue,” Shelton said.
“She always showed something right from when we first got her.
“She’s a top little trackworker, a nice sort of mare who has done well to win two races.
“When the wet tracks are about, she comes into her own.”
Be Afraid’s first start for Shelton came on a heavy (10) at Murwillumbah on June 9 when the mare scored a half-length win in a Benchmark 50 event when charging home down the outside rail to beat Leica Roller.
The third horse, Pro Jaasi, was six lengths further astern.
Twenty eight days later Be Afraid finished sixth on her home track which was rated good then again struck suitable conditions on a slow surface at Ballina on July 22, scoring a length win.
Last time out Shelton admitted the mare’s seventh to Yabbra at Casino on August 14 was disappointing.
“The rain came but too late to really affect the track,” Shelton said.
“She only plugged home.
“Since then she’s continued to train on good. She looks a million dollars.
“I’m happy with her.”
Matthew Paget retains the mount on Be Afraid who will carry 54kg.
“The handicapper hasn’t got her yet, she gets in well again at the weights,” Shelton said.
“We know she handles Ballina and the wet.
“I certainly won’t be worried if she strikes another heavy track. That would only enhance her chances.”
Meanwhile, Going Fine, trained by Shane Randall, will be out to record back-to-back Cup wins in Sunday’s $15,000 Byron Bay Cup (1610m) after winning the Casino Cup (1400m) last start.
AAP TURF
