The least of trainer Brian Wakefield’s worries is whether he can maintain his amazing strike rate at Doomben.
Wakefield has saddled 10 runners in the new racing season for six winners at a strike rate of 60 per cent.
One of his best performers has been Hi Fiver who will be chasing a fourth straight win in Saturday’s St Margaret’s Handicap (1050m).
Wakefield, the son of former top trainer and jockey Brian Wakefield Sr, has long been regarded as one of the best small-team trainers in the state.
But he knows racing can be a strange business and luck goes in circles.
“The thing is you need everything to fall into place for your horses. When it does you have a chance,” Wakefield said.
“It is nice to have a good strike-rate but for all trainers our main concern is where is our next winner coming from.
“Hi Fiver has been racing well and he has drawn the inside barrier so he deserves a shot at city racing.”
Larry Cassidy, who rides Hi Fiver, has a great strike-rate with Wakefield with six winners from his past 12 rides for the stable.
Hi Fiver cost Wakefield $37,000 at the Magic Millions sale and now looks to be a cheap buy.
Wakefield won at Caloundra last week with another value buy, Jardin Rouge, who has won four races in a row.
“It helps when you get good owners who stand by you so I really do enjoy getting winners for them,” he said.
