Trainer in Astroturf’s camp
The Timaru trainer also has Mystic Power in the Talleys Handicap, but given reasonable luck in the running he fancies the chances of the stablemate.
“Hopefully, Mystic Power will go to the front and get to the fence where he likes to be and if he gets a soft lead he would take some running down,” Daly said.
“But Astroturf has got a lot more ability and if he is within a couple of lengths of the other horse with 600 metres to run, then I would expect Astroturf to win. He loves the track.”
A two-time winner on the course, the son of Encosta de Lago was successful at Timaru two runs back before he was unplaced at Riccarton after covering too much extra ground.
“He went a good race considering how wide he went,” Daly said.
“He made up good ground in the last 70 or so metres.”
Astroturf has proved a tidy investment for Daly, who signed for the gelding for $4000 at the 2014 Mixed Bloodstock Sale at Karaka.
“He’d had a wind operation before I bought him and he had another one at Christmas time, but he’s got absolutely no issues with his breathing now,” he said.
Out of the Group Two-winning mare Astrodame, Astroturf has been successful in seven of his 32 starts for Daly.
– NZ Racing Desk