Jason Attard is reluctant to predict whether Kellyville Flyer can emulate her brother and win the Group Three Hawkesbury Gold Cup, because the forecast isn’t exactly favourable.
Home track advantage may not come into play for the seven-year-old mare as rain is only expected to fall on Tuesday before mostly sunny skies dominate up to and including Saturday’s meeting.
Kellyville Flyer thrives in heavy going so the good rating on Monday was hardly ideal for her trainer.
“I’ve been doing rain dances,” Attard said.
“At least the mornings have been pretty dewy. If there’s just a bit of give in the track she should be OK.”
Kellyville Flyer won over 1400 metres on a heavy track at Randwick on April 15, an effort that sets her up to match Sons of John’s Gold Cup (1600m) triumph in 2015.
“She’s recovered well. We’re going in the right direction,” Attard said.
“This prep has been outstanding really, so hopefully she can continue that momentum,.”
Attard thought Kellyville Flyer could step up to 1800m or even 2000m with the Scone Cup (1600m) a possible stepping stone before she attempts longer distances during the Queensland winter carnival.
Attard has also nominated Reiby The Red for the Cup although the five-year-old might find it hard to make the 16-horse field.
“He’s a very good fresh miler. He likes racing at home but it’ll be tricky to get a run with his benchmark,” Attard said.
“He’ll be thrown in the deep end but he’s going to get no weight.”
Should he make the cut it would be a proud moment for co-owner and Hawkesbury Racing Club stalwart Sid Kelly, who also has Reiby Rampart nominated for the Group Three Godolphin Crown (1600m) and the Provincial Stayers Benchmark 85 Handicap (2100m).
Attard said the Crown was the preference for the four-year-old mare who races for the first time since running ninth in the Provincial Championships final at Randwick on April 8.
Attard confirmed Sons of John was on track for the Listed Lord Mayor’s Cup (2000m) at Rosehill on May 6.
“Hopefully he runs well there and then we’ll reassess whether he goes to Brisbane,” he said.
