Local trainer Robert Price hopes it will be a case of deja vu on Sunday when smart mare Purring Flyer resumes in the Mollymook Cup at Nowra.
Last year Price saddled up Gato, now trained in Queensland, to win the 1200m Cup.
The Benchmark 65, $14,000 feature event on Tabcorp and Racing NSW’s inaugural Saddle Up Sunday promotion, is a perfect kick-off point for Purring Flyer, Price reasoned.
“I think she’ll get to Saturday Sydney grade and hopefully we can pick up some black type for the owners along the way,” Price said.
“To date we’ve cuddled her, looked after her.
“Hopefully our patience pays off.
“She’s fit, ready to roll. It’s a nice, suitable race to start off a campaign.”
Purring Flyer is raced by a number of long-time Price clients including the mare’s breeder, Lester Durney of Letmar Investments Syndicate.
As a yearling the filly was passed in at the Magic Million sales on the Gold Coast and later syndicated.
A win for Purring Flyer would also be timely for Durney.
“Purring Flyer’s mother (Suddenly Sara) unfortunately died at stud last year and the mare’s half-brother Nediyms Dream recently died of colic,” Price said.
“The owners haven’t had much luck with the family.”
Purring Flyer, by Catbird, has strong form credentials with two wins and two placings from five starts.
Both her wins have been at Nowra but she finished runner-up to Shot O’Music over 1200m at Kembla Grange on May 3 and an unlucky close third to Brightest and Shasta Moon over 1400m at the same track on May 14 before spelling.
“She’s come from impossible positions to be just beaten twice and with better luck may have won both Kembla races,” Price said.
“She does hit the line strongly, can reel off very good sectionals.”
Price believes the major problems facing Purring Flyer Sunday are the big field and luck in running.
“Gee I don’t remember seeing 15 horses engaged in a race like this, ever,” Price said.
“My mare’s pretty spot-on. With natural improvement she’s going to get better but she’s as good as I can get her.
“Luck in running is the big question with the large field.
“She’s not the world’s worst beginner (but) has a tendency to get her head up and shorten stride early.
“Hopefully she can be around midfield and run on strongly.”
AAP TURF