In his first crack at the MIA Breeders Plate, Wagga trainer Jim Fury lines up one of the major players with Plumpton Hope.
After a dazzling front running display in his 33-metre heat victory, Fury was disappointed when he drew to start from barrier nine for the $40,000 final.
However he’s taking it all in his stride.
“Someone has to draw there,” Fury said.
“It’s all on draw on half mile tracks.”
Despite winning his heat comfortably, Fury isn’t going into the final over confident.
“He won pretty easy, went two minutes but we will see what happens,” he said.
“All earned their spot and will need a bit of luck.
“I hope everyone gets around safe, that is the main thing.”
Fury has been involved in the sport for decades and isn’t getting too far ahead of himself after one start.
He has rejected offers to sell the son of Sportswriter and just wants to enjoy wherever the gelding takes him.
“It’s a hard game and to find one that can compete is harder,” he said.
“There are so many horses.”
Temora reinsman Ray Walker will again take the reins on Plumpton Hope.
He was confident of causing an upset over Redbank Blaze in the heat but hasn’t formulated a plan on how to attack the final just yet.
“We will just have to follow through and I suppose I can jump on the eight’s back (Redbank Blaze) if I want, it just depends on what they do,” Walker said.
“We just have to get around the first corner, that is the main thing.
“All we have to do is keep out of trouble and like Jimmy says it’s like playing football – you don’t want to be behind at three quarter time.
“You have to be up there near them.”
Walker is shooting for his third win in the group three feature and believes Plumpton Hope should be improved from his debut performance.
“You never know when horses have their first start some of them do improve a fair bit,” he said.
While Walker didn’t think the scratching of The Defiant would have a big impact on the race Leeton bookmaker Terry Coelli said it changed the complexion of the group three event.
Coelli initially selected The Defiant on top before settling on Rebank Blaze for Paul Kahlefeldt.
He rates this year’s race as one of the most open in its history.
“I think any of four could win,” Coelli said.
