Canberra trainer Nick Olive is hoping for a case of third time lucky when he brings Natch Catch to town on Saturday.
The mare has tackled city company twice this campaign and Olive says she has been luckless on both occasions.
“Her first start at Canterbury she had no luck and she had no luck the other day at Rosehill either,” Olive said.
“But she’s drawn three on Saturday so hopefully that will change.”
Natch Catch will line up in Saturday’s De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill where she will chase her sixth career win.
Four of her victories have come on her home track of Canberra, the most recent two starts ago when she downed 2011 Black Opal Stakes winner You’re Canny.
She followed that with a solid fourth to Madam Nash over 1500m at Rosehill when she drew the outside barrier.
“Her run last start was one of the best runs of the day from any horse,” Olive said.
“She will go into Saturday spot-on.”
Two-time Canberra premiership-winning jockey Brendan Ward has ridden Natch Catch in nine of her 15 starts and will again be in the saddle.
Olive was keen for Ward to stick with the mare, who has a few tricks up her sleeve.
“She’s a bit of a tricky horse for people who don’t know her,” Olive said.
“He knows her backwards.
“He has been pretty successful down here. He’s won a couple of Canberra premierships….and he rode his 100th winner (for the season) last week.”
Natch Catch will be one of nine runners in a race dominated by leading trainer Chris Waller.
Waller will start almost half the field after accepting with last start winner Madam Nash, First Look, import Titbit and Matiya’s Pride.
