The reprogramming of a Sale race from a washed-out meeting on Sunday to a midweek card at Sandown on Wednesday has been a cause of frustration of trainer Nick Smart.
A heat of the Good Friday Country Trainers Series (1400m) will be run on Wednesday with the top four finishers earning a spot for the $150,000 final, one at 1200m and one at 1500m at Sale on Good Friday.
Smart had Worsfold all set to run first-up at Sale on Sunday on his preferred heavy track conditions, but heavy rain forced the cancellation of the meeting.
Luckily Sunday’s heat of the Country Trainers Series was rescheduled to Wednesday.
“It was a bit frustrating,” Smart said.
“We’ve been waiting two years to get him on a heavy track, praying for rain. It comes, and they call them off.
“By the looks of it, Sandown is going to be back to a (good) four in the morning, which isn’t great, but he’ll run so long as it doesn’t get firmer than that.
“Being a (soft) five now and even if they do upgrade it, there should be some nice juice left in it.
“There is bit of rain forecast for the Easter weekend, so we hope to get that for the final.”
Smart said a top four finish will enable Worsfold to make the final and the trainer expects the gelding to be lining up at Sale nine days later.
“He’s a horse with plenty of ability but he hasn’t had much luck,” Smart said.
“I would expect him to be thereabouts, but it won’t be any fuss if we do get beaten, as it will save us a couple of kilos in the final.”
Smart said he picked out the Country Trainers Series Final over 1500m as a suitable contest and the $150,000 prize money makes it appealing.
“You don’t get too many benchmark 70 races that are worth $80,000 odd to the winner,” Smart said.
Apprentice Logan McGill takes the ride on Wednesday, reducing Worsfold’s weight to 59.5kg.
