It might be getting colder, but the heat is coming on for the horses in the claiming grade at Forbury Park on Thursday.
And at the forefront of the claimers are Roxburgh trainers Geoff and Jude Knight.
The Knights will set five claimers at the winter claimers' series with four of those getting fit with a run on Thursday, provided the race gets off the ground.
Co-trainer Geoff Knight said Cullen's Finest, Lionels Meddle, Jerry Fitz and Franco Caliph would have a run this week, while Hi Gun was set to return in two to three weeks.
The Knights originally considered starting Lionels Meddle in the c3-c6 pace, but a lack of trials or workouts under his belt helped the Knights change their minds.
''He's going to need some more racing to get up to fitness. He's going to need some hard runs,'' Geoff Knight said.
Lionels Meddle was claimed by Jonny Cox during last year's series but, after Cox moved north, the 9yr-old is now back with the Knights in an environment he seems to enjoy.
''He likes it here. He's a strange sort of a horse really,'' Knight said.
''He either likes his surroundings or he doesn't. He appears to really thrive here.''
Franco Caliph is a relative newcomer to the claimers' grade compared to his stablemates, but Knight said he could measure up.
''He has good manners and he's not in for a dear price. While we've got him, he's got a bit of gate speed and he can race handy, and he's going to be competitive.''
Knight, also a committee member for the Forbury Park Trotting Club, is expecting good support from other trainers based on recent fields.
''It looks like the series will be quite strong this year because there are a few newcomers from other stables.''
he said.
''There were a few more Canterbury ones starting a couple of weeks ago. Hopefully, they keep coming and we can build on the series.''
Knight was keen to push for maiden claiming races in the South over the past two seasons and they have started to gain traction.
The winter claimers' series is now well established and Knight said there was plenty to like about them.
''It's a great concept. They're penalty-free wins and you put your horse in to buy your barrier draw basically.
''We just hope people get into the spirit of it, and a few get claimed during the series and swap around a little bit; that's what it's all about. We never like losing them, but we're realistic as well. If we lose them and they go to someone else and they have success, that's great.''
The Knights' King
Lionels Meddle
''Without doubt, Lionels Meddle if we get through to that stage with him and we've still got him, then he'd be very hard to beat if he comes back the way he has.''
The Knights' Dark Horse
Hi Gun
''You can't leave him out, can you - he's on for the three-peat. He's sound and he's a lovely old guy to have around. Sentimentally, I'd love to have him win again.
