A change of luck is in store for young trainer at Ipswich.
Trainer Billy Healey’s summation of Fifth Force’s last run is a bit kinder than some punters might have expressed but the gelding has a chance to atone at Ipswich on Thursday.
Stuck for running room in the home straight over 1600m at Sunshine Coast on September 27, Fifth Force finished on well to take third placing.
His next task in the Fouchard Racing Benchmark 62 Handicap (1680m) sees the six-year-old start from barrier 10 which can be overcome with race fitness.
“He didn’t have a lot of luck last start,” Healey agreed.
“If you look at his form he was plain at his two runs back but his first-up run at Ipswich he was caught wide up on the speed and it was probably not ideal where he was positioned.
“Second-up he was still racing a bit too freshly and keenly so we went back to the drawing board and took the blinkers back off.
“The kid rode him super the other day but maybe he was a bit stiff in a way just getting held up momentarily and had to work his way out wide but he was good late.”
The kid is three-kilo claiming apprentice Archie McColm who had his first ride in April and retains the mount here bringing Fighting Force’s weight down to 56-kilos.
“His last race has become a good form race with the winner (Prochester) won again last week and this looks like a nice race tomorrow from a tricky draw.
“He can be in a decent enough spot midfield and hopefully with a bit of cover to track into the race.”
