Nettoyer will line up for what is likely to be her penultimate start at Eagle Farm.
Wendy Roche cannot fathom why Nettoyer is a market drifter ahead of Saturday’s $500,000 Magic Millions National Classic at Eagle Farm, adamant the mare is not only thriving, but has a plethora of statistics in her favour.
A Group 1 winner, Nettoyer is coming off a last-start fourth to racing’s latest star horse Zaaki and under the weight-for-age conditions of Saturday’s race, she will carry the same handicap as much lower-rated rivals.
The race was identified by new owners Newgate Farm, which purchased Nettoyer for $900,000 at the recent National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast, and Roche believes they have found an ideal target.
They have also secured the services of champion jockey James Mcdonald.
However, after getting to as low as $4.80, Nettoyer had drifted to $6 with TAB fixed odds on Friday, much to Roche’s chagrin.
“People have a love-hate affair with Nettoyer, I guess because she loses more than she wins with her pattern of racing,” Roche said.
“They don’t like her because she knocks their ‘quaddies’ off.
“But she’s coming from a Group One, which was one of the strongest Doomben Cups in a long time and she was the only horse who made ground on the day, back to fillies and mares’ grade, weight-for-age, 57 kilos, with Australia’s leading jockey on board.
“I don’t know what I have to say. I’ve done press releases all weeks saying I think she’s in with a good chance and she’s firing, and she keeps blowing out (in price).”
Nettoyer will retire to stud this breeding season, but she is likely to have one more start after this weekend with Roche keen to back her up in the $1.2 million The Q22, provided she comes through Saturday’s 1600m race in good order.
