Mare should fly high at Oamaru today

 Come Fly With Me, in the hands of jockey Lisa Allpress, wins at the corresponding June meeting three years ago. The 8yr-old mare will be seeking her fourth win on the track from six starts there when she lines up in race 3 at Oamaru today. Photo: ODT fil
Come Fly With Me, in the hands of jockey Lisa Allpress, wins at the corresponding June meeting three years ago. The 8yr-old mare will be seeking her fourth win on the track from six starts there when she lines up in race 3 at Oamaru today. Photo: ODT files
Course specialist Come Fly With Me heads a strong team Western Southland trainer Stephen Blair-Edie takes to Oamaru today.

The leading Southland mare will attempt to win her fourth race in just her sixth start on the track in rating 82 company over 2200m.

Come Fly With Me comes into race 3 after doing a power of work to find the lead in Waimate Cup at her last start.

That effort told and the 8yr-old was left fighting for third place behind her stablemate, Wild Jack.

Blair-Edie hopes Come Fly With Me will not be forced to do quite as much work today.

''It was just the way race panned out last time,'' the trainer said.

''The outsider was bolting and I gave my rider instructions to lead at all costs and he rode to those instructions.''

The distance of 2200m and the drier-than-usual condition of the Oamaru track should be to her liking.

''She has got a good record at Oamaru. She is feeling reasonably well and she will probably take the lead again,'' the trainer said.

Rider Kin Kwo's 3kg claim will bring Come Fly With Me's weight down to 58kg.

Blair-Edie has two strong chances in today's faster-class events as Waimate Bill lines up in the rating 82 race over 1400m.

The 6yr-old Showcasing gelding should strip a fitter horse after his sound fourth placing in his resuming run at Waimate 10 days ago.

''He had just come back from an injury, so we were quite happy with his run.

''He will be a bit better this time, but he hasn't got a claim on from his usual rider. But, he should go better.''

Central districts rider Robbie Hannam replaces Blair-Edie's apprentice, Amless Bohorun, on Waimate Bill today.

Like his two stablemates, Southern Jazz also went a strong race at Waimate.

The 4yr-old ran third behind the in-form The Style.

Southern Jazz will get 3kg of weight relief from Kwo's claim when he steps out in rating 65 company over 1600m in race 7.

''He has developed and he is 40kg-5kg heavier this year,'' Blair-Edie said.

''I am expecting a pretty good run from him.''

Kwo will also ride To Sir With Love for the stable in race 2.

The gelding will attempt to cap his consistent form with a maiden victory over 1200m.

Blair-Edie said the 6yr-old was not a huge winning hope despite his good form.

''He is a horse that came down from the North Island. A year of hill work has made him strong, but he has had a few chances now and hasn't won a race.''

To Sir With Love clashes with North Island raider Foggy Little.

The Guy Lowry and Grant Cullen-trained 3yr-old has produced consistent form in five starts before venturing south.

Foggy Little could give away a fitness advantage to some of his rivals.

The galloper has not started since May, and some of his rivals have had regular racing since then.

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