In a sport driven by money there is often little room for sentiment but trainer John McNair wears his heart on his sleeve when it comes to his horses.
McNair is known for the long hours he puts in to rehabilitate horses others might give up on and 14-year-old Mustard is testament to his dedication.
The veteran is set to line up against another stable favourite, former Hong Kong galloper River Jordan, in Saturday’s tab.com.au Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.
“I don’t like the idea of backing Mustard up from last Saturday but if I wait a week it’s bound to rain knowing my luck,” McNair.
“I’ll be surprised if he beats River Jordan but he has been going very well lately without luck.”
Mustard has finished less than two lengths from the winner at his past two starts and while nine-year-old River Jordan has been soundly beaten at his past two, McNair believes he can improve.
“He’s owned by a lovely lady, Peggy Cheng, and while my heart always wants Mustard to win River Jordan deserves another win,” McNair said.
“He’s such a beautiful animal and had a lot of problems when he came to me.
“I never thought he’d make it back to the track. He was the worst I’ve ever seen.
“Peggy Cheng’s late father raced him in Hong Kong and she races the horse to honour him and deserves every bit of success she can get.”
Irish Jig is another horse who has travelled to McNair’s Central Coast stable from Hong Kong and he runs in the Happy New Year From The ATC Handicap (1500m).
He has been a minor placegetter in all four starts for his new trainer and will be ridden by Corey Brown from barrier seven of seven.
“He’s going really well but all my horses seem to draw wide,” McNair said.
“I’ve got a top jockey on and it’s his job to work it out. I’ve done mine.”
Last time out, Irish Jig ran second at Warwick Farm to Straight Albert who is the early favourite for Monday’s City Tattersall’s Club Cup (2000m) at Warwick Farm.
Brown has also been booked to ride the McNair-trained Dal Rommel in the Rosehill Gardens Hcp (1900m) but he is not a certain starter.
“I’m still not sure,” McNair said.
“There’s a 2200-metre race next week so we might wait for that.”
With Hay List slated to take on Singapore and Royal Ascot in the new year, McNair said it was realistic to be thinking of Mustard’s retirement.
“If I’m not there to ride him in his work then he probably won’t be racing,” he said.
“He’s never gone the same for anyone else but I would dearly love for him to go out on a winning note.”
Like River Jordan, Mustard was at $17 on TAB Sportsbet’s fixed odds on Friday but such is his popularity with casual punters he is liable to start much shorter on the tote.
AAP TURF
