Forget Our Premonition's run at Timaru last month.
That is the advice from co-trainer Kevin Hughes before the $50,000 Timaru Stakes at Ashburton tomorrow.
The Riccarton mare was in winning form at Ashburton on a good track on December 19, but travelled one hour further south from home base nine days later.
The Timaru track - rated as a dead5 that day - clearly did not gel with the daughter of Postponed, who finished a 7-length ninth to Emerald Queen in the Timaru Cup.
''She's really, really well. Unfortunately, she went to Timaru and the track was a mess. She didn't go a yard in it so she's had a freshen. With a good track, she should be a good chance.''
Our Premonition is a natural leader, although she has drawn barrier 11 for the 1400m open handicap.
''It's unfortunate, but she drew the outside last time and got there [to the lead] quite quickly.''
Double Blue steps up to 1600m in open company in race 7. Hughes and co-training wife Pam were pleased with the mare's effort to run second at Kurow on December 3.
''That seems to have topped her off nicely and, hopefully, she'll carry on with it now, as she was pretty handy before she had a break.
''Hopefully, she can get back on form and she's one that needs a good track, too.''
The daughter of King's Chapel has been tried only twice over 1600m in her 15 career starts, and Hughes feels the Ashburton track will work in her favour as she steps up over ground.
''Riccarton might catch her out, but at Ashburton if she has the ability to run in the first half a dozen [early] she'll be fine.''
Hughes is quite confident with Gottagetmywoohoo, who has not raced since finishing seventh behind Another Coup during cup week, in the 2 and 3yr-old 1200m.
''I think he'll come back and get on with a new campaign OK,'' Hughes said.
''He just went out for a spell and he came back ready to go. I think with the 1200m, he'll have to settle whether he likes it or not.''
Southerly Change (race 9) appears to have fully recovered from a heart fibrillation at Riccarton in September, running a tidy second to Avow at Kurow last month.
''He had the nice run at Kurow and nothing [had] showed up after his last run.''
