Ascot Park trainer Sally McKay is hoping an improving track greets her and her five-horse team at Omakau today.
The Central Otago course improved from a heavy 10 to a slow 9 rating yesterday afternoon.
McKay is keen for more sunshine and further improvement in the track to a dead rating to aid her Central Otago Summer Cup chance King Pin.
The 8yr-old could be considered a little fussy when it comes to track conditions. King Pin did not enjoy the slow Wingatui track of his last start or the good track at Cromwell for his previous run.
“He has been in work since the end of June and we have been waiting for good tracks,” McKay said.
“We took him to Cromwell and he ended up with sore feet after that, so he missed Invercargill and then went to Boxing Day at Wingatui and hit that slow track.”
King Pin impressed McKay when not completely comfortable in the conditions at Wingatui.
“I was rapt with his run that day. He took off with 600m to go which is not his go.
“I said to the rider ‘don’t get him into trouble’ and when one [horse] came back on him he set him alight.
“He has come through the race really well and he looks a picture.”
King Pin ($4.50) opened the second-favourite in fixed-odds betting for today’s 1400m feature behind Killarney ($2.60).
McKay has Love To Dream in a maiden 1400m race (race 2).
Dead conditions could help reward the 7yr-old for her consistent form.
“She should be strong enough and experienced enough to cope with whatever the track is like.
“She is a lovely horse and she is going to be even better with more ground.”
Trickle Treat also starts over 1400m for McKay in rating 65 grade in race 3.
The trainer is confident the 4yr-old will handle stepping up after breaking his maiden in his last start at Ascot Park.
“I think he will handle it. He is looking better and better every day.
“He is looking like a better staying horse and he will appreciate better tracks, too, but I think he will be quite bold [today].’’
McKay starts Port Stephens in Heinback Erebus race 6.
His big last-start effort to run third after jumping slowly makes him the stable’s No1 hope in the 2000m maiden race.
“I was very pleased with him and he has come through that run very well.”
“I expect him to be a major player ...
“We will ride him cold, but hopefully he will jump with them.”
Heinback Erebus brings fair form to the race.
“This is his chance to put his hand up.”
