Hawkesbury trainer Garry Frazer is adamant the outside barrier won’t affect the chances of his high quality sprinter Spright in the Group 1 $600,000 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Spright, above, will jump from the outside gate in the 2019 Robert Sangster Stakes at Mprphettville. Photo by Steve Hart.
Spright was given the visitor’s draw when she arrived in South Australia and will jump from the outside gate in the fifteen horse Robert Sangster Stakes field.
Damien Oliver finds himself back aboard Spright after having ridden the Hinchinbrook mare on three occasions during the 2018 Spring Carnival without a win.
Spright’s normal racing pattern is to settle in the second of the field and Oliver will no doubt let the mare relax back in the pack from the wide gate.
“What can you do, at the end of the day is probably not as detrimental to her as it would be some horses,’’ Frazer told The Advertiser.
“Put it this way, I’d rather be out in 15 then drawing inside in barrier one.’’
The Morphettville track was rated a good 4 on Thursday afternoon but could be downgraded if the forecast rain arrives before the weekend.
While Spright’s wet track form is non existent with one placing from seven outings on a rain affected surface, Frazer is not too concerned if the track receives some overdue rainfall.
“All I’m told, 1-5ml,’’ Frazer said.
“It hadn’t rained for three months over there so I don’t think that rain will have too much affect on the track.’’
Fraaer said that his son Jordan has reported that Spright has settled in well into her new surroundings in Adelaide and her work has been good.
“She’s settled in good there in Adelaide according to Jordan (son) and she galloped good on the course proper yesterday,’’ Frazer said.
Spright has been Group 1 placed on two occasions at The Valley with a third to Viddora in the $500,000 Moir Stakes (1000m) during the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival and followed that up during the 2019 Autumn Carnival with a second to Sunlight in the $500,000 William Reid Stakes (1200m).
Fraazer then headed to Sydney but Spright failed to fire when seventh to White Moss in the Group 2 $300,000 Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships on April 13.
In a wide betting race at Ladbrokes.com.au, Spright is currently the $4.50 favourite for the Robert Sangster Stakes ahead of Cool Passion and Thrillster at $5.50, Jamaican Rain at $6.50 and Anajana at $8 while Lady Cosmology has firmed in from $12 to be marked at $10.
