TRAINER Mitch Beer feels Sky Call is primed to run the race of her life in what he describes as the grand final for country trainers.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Beer and Sky Call are set to contest their first $400,000 Country Championship final at Randwick on Saturday with Glen Boss booked to ride.
Sky Call was an impressive winner of the Championship Qualifier at Albury in February.
She also ran third in the City Handicap on the opening day of the Albury Carnival in her final hitout before the lucrative final.
"This is the race where as a country trainer can we legitimately buy a horse and target some huge prizemoney," Beer said.
"History says country trainers don't go to yearling sales and buy horses capable of winning a Golden Slipper or Blue Diamond.
"So it's a huge buzz to be a part of the Country Championships this year.
"I suppose it's like a grand final in many ways. For 12 months you are planning and preparing to win the qualifier which is like the home and away season.
"Then if you make the final it is an achievement but then it starts again and you have to perform in the final."
Beer and Sky Call arrived in Sydney on Tuesday to give the horse every chance to settle into her new environment.
"She did a light piece of work on Wednesday morning and is in terrific order, has been eating up and as bright as I have seen her," he said.
"I had her bloods done and they also came back spot on and everything has gone to plan."
Sky Call drew 10 at the crucial barrier draw but could jump from six with the emergencies coming out.
Fancied runners Bobbing, Ligulate and Julian Rock all fared badly at the draw which has added further intrigue into the race.
"The draw is perfect," he said.
"Similar to the qualifiers you would think there will be a stack of speed in the race.
"Some of those more fancied runners have drawn wide and possess good speed so it will be interesting what they do tactically from the sticky gate.
"I can see Sky Call getting a similar run like she did in the qualifier and sit midfield on the outside of them and hopefully ready to pounce in the straight.
"Despite the horror draw I still think Bobbing is the horse we all have to beat.
"I can't wait and hopefully my mare does us proud."
READ MORE