Gore trainer Tony Stratford has five runners accepted for the first day of the Wyndham HRC meeting at Cromwell today. 

In Race One the stable lines up Trendy Van Gogh (Vincent) who’s returning home after a stint with Canterbury trainer Andrew Stuart. 

“She’s on her way back home. I couldn’t tell you what her work’s been like. She’s in the right race I think and she’s got a draw where she’ll be able to follow through and stay handy to the pace. On the ability she’s got, she’d be a top three or four chance,” Stratford said. 

A relatively new recruit, Magnetic Roxie, (Rocknroll Hanover) fronts up in Race Two. 

“We’ve had her since Christmas. She ran third here (Cromwell) in January and Blair (Orange) gave me some really good feedback. She just went fair at Riverton and although she only ran sixth the other day at Gore, Brad (Williamson) was very happy with her. She’s half a chance.” 

In Race Seven, Stratford lines up Lydah Valley (Sweet Lou). 

“She’s been going really good races but has been getting too far off them and not been able to make up ground. We’ll be positive today and hopefully she’ll be there abouts.” 

The Gore trainers day is rounded out in Race Nine with Outback Man (He’s Watching) and Sky Patrol (Sky Major). 

Outback Man’s form has been average this time in, but Stratford says he’s expecting an improved showing. 

“This time round things have gone completely wrong with him. He’s had a couple of wee niggles. We took him to the workouts last weekend and he felt like his old self. If he can put his workout run and his normal self into today’s race he’ll be pretty hard to beat.”  

Sky Patrol broke at his last start and took no part. 

“Just galloped behind the gate and never came back so it was game over. He worked yesterday at home before we came up and worked super. He’s a go forward horse and likes to be on the speed. If he could find the top, he wouldn’t be a mile away. With my horses drawing one and two and if things pan out, they’ll both be thereabouts.”

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink