Clarry Conners has opted to apply blinkers in an attempt to propel Bright Heart to a Golden Slipper berth via Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes.
Bright Heart has raced three times but is yet to put it all together and Conners believes when she does, the public will see a good racehorse.
“She is a good filly but she is still very new,” Conners said.
“In her first start in the Magic Millions race at Wyong over 1000 metres she pigrooted out of the barriers because of the saddle.
“Then in her next start at Randwick I thought she was going to win but then she ducked out towards the outside fence in the straight.”
Bright Heart returned from an 11-week let-up and had her third race in the $250,000 Black Opal Stakes (1200m) on March 13 when finishing third, four lengths behind the winner You’re Canny.
Damien Oliver has been booked to partner Bright Heart in the Magic Night Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, where the winner automatically qualifies for the following week’s $3.5 million Golden Slipper (1200m).
“I have chosen to put the blinkers on and she has worked very well in them,” Conners said.
“This morning she came home the last 600 metres, she didn’t run fast time but she seemed to get through the (wet) ground OK which is good.”
The Warwick Farm horseman said Bright Heart had worn the blinkers in three pieces of fast work since finishing behind You’re Canny and Karuta Queen in the Listed Black Opal.
“If she wins and qualifies (for the Golden Slipper), she’ll go there,” the trainer said.
Conners already has Satin Shoes in the Slipper and is hoping for a dry track for the Silver Slipper winner who was beaten for the first time on a wet track by Elite Falls in Saturday’s Reisling Stakes.
Stablemate Dorf Command is set to back up at Rosehill in the Group Three Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) following her third in the Maurice McCarten Stakes (1100m) last weekend.
Conners nominated Dorf Command for the Group One Sportingbet Classic (1200m) in Adelaide this week and said he “tossed and turned” before deciding to keep her in Sydney.
“I’m a bit surprised she has got 58 kilos (in the Birthday Card) but she ran a good race again last weekend, coming from a long way back on a rain-affected track to finish third,” he said.
Meanwhile, multiple stakeswinning three-year-old Decision Time is still being hampered by a shoulder muscle injury and Conners won’t rush him back to the races until he is entirely happy with him.
The trainer is now looking at the Gosford and Hawkesbury Guineas for Decision Time.
AAP TURF
