RENOWN mudlark Spy Wears Prado is set to notch his first win this preparation when he takes on a small field in an open handicap at UBET Park Hobart today.
Spy Wears Prado has had four starts this time in for as many unplaced outcomes but his trainer Dianne Ray-Luttrell is quietly confident the gallant grey can make an overdue return to the winner’s circle.
“I can’t fault his trackwork this week and I’m confident that if he is ridden more attractively than he was last start then he can win ” Ray-Luttrell said.
Apprentice Ismail Toker has the responsibility of ensuring the seven-year-old gelding is given a gun run.
Spy Wears Prado has won six of his 10 career wins on a heavy track and that’s certain to be the type of racing surface he will encounter today.
“This horse is definitely best in heavy going so the conditions will be very suitable and that it is only a small field also should help,” Ray-Luttrell said.
A field of five will line up in the Wolf Blass Handicap over 1600 metres and while the gelding’s pet distance is 1400 metres he should not be bothered by the extra distance.
The logical dangers appear to be last start winner Spirit of Nia that is racing out of her class and she also is stepping up to 1600 metres for only the third time in her career.
Jay Bee’s Gee won three in succession and carrying big weights and while he was unplaced last start over 1600 metres in Launceston he carried a massive 63 kilograms and today he will only lug 58kg courtesy of a three-kilogram claim for apprentice Victor Wong.
Sun Disk has been in top form winning his past two but he drops back from 2100m and that could be a telling factor for this dour stayer and Spotluck is having only her second start back from a spell and might need another run or two before she finds her best form.
While Ray-Luttrell is confident of Spy Wears Prado making an impact she also expects the stablemate Lacey Azz to be very competitive in the maiden/class one over 1600 metres (race five).
“Lacey Azz is a difficult mare to ride because she has to be ridden a certain way for her to do her best and I’m banking on Ismail (Toker) to ride her to instructions and if that happens she can win.”
“Her trackwork this week has been nothing short of sensational so I’m hoping she takes that work into the race,” she said.
Best Bets: Race 2 # 4 Turtles Nest and race 7 # 2 Tiger jack.
By Peter Staples