The unpredictability of southern spring weather has partially forced Wingatui trainer Claire Anderton's hand at Gore today.
Anderton would have preferred waiting until the tracks firmed up around the South before lining up one win mare Sofia Loren.
But the Scottish bred trainer has been in Otago long enough to know she might be waiting for quite some time before the Fast `N' Famous mare found the dead tracks that suit her.
''Obviously, it's not ideal starting on a heavy11 track, but I could wait two weeks and get a heavy track out here [at Wingatui],'' Anderton said.
''It's a long season and we don't want her at her peak for tomorrow, but she's very well. With a better track, I would be pretty confident, but it's just how she's going to handle that track.''
The 4yr old will carry 58kg after Courtney Barnes' 1kg claim.
The small field of seven means the race should be free from traffic issues although Anderton was quick to add: ''I've seen it happen.
''She's been working up quite nicely and it's a small field so she should go OK.''
The rating 65 1100m event is slightly short of Sofia Loren's best distances of 1200m to 1400m, but Anderton thinks an extra 200m could be within the mare's range this year.
''This time in she's a little bit stronger so we might get a nice mile [1600m] out of her.
''She's a grumpy wee mare, but she's got a wee bit of ability, so I'm happy to put up with what she throws at you.''
Sofia Loren is one of four horses in work with Anderton, a number she is quite content with.
''Four is manageable. It's a nice number,'' she said.
''Courtney Barnes often pops across and does one, and Bailey Kennedy often pops on one. People are pretty good to come and help so it makes life a bit easier.''
Anderton is equally happy with her decision to take out a sole trainer's licence this season after she was assisted by her father in law, Hec Anderton, for the second half of last season.
''You've got to be doing something. We've got some nice horses there and I'm really enjoying it at the moment.''
Anderton's top rated stable representative, The Diamond One, enjoyed a good winter at the Dennis brothers' property in Woodlands, north of Invercargill.
She is nominated for the group 2 Coupland's Bakeries Mile, but Anderton said the next few weeks would decide what to target in November.
''She's had a couple of run alongs and I'm quite happy with where she's at at the moment.
''We'll give her a couple of runs and she'll have to be coming up extra well to go for the Coupland's. If not, we'll just tick along and make a plan for her.
''I'm going to talk to the boys tomorrow - either she has a run out here or goes to the trials - I'm not 100% sure yet.''
Hexie Hao will target the Balclutha Cup over 1200m at Wingatui on September 26 for his first run since finishing 11th in the Winter Cup at Riccarton on August 1.
''He'll handle most tracks. I wouldn't start him on a hard, hard track, but he'll go through the spring and we'll see how he comes up.''
Anderton's other horse in training, Lucille, has had six weeks off and Anderton will look for a suitable race to start her campaign.
''This will probably be her last time in . . . so it would be nice if we could target a country cup somewhere.''
