KEY POINTS:
A month ago Matamata trainer Lance Noble fancied his chances of winning Saturday's $200,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Breeders Stakes with Irlanda.
But Noble didn't know what to think when the mare finished only ninth to impressive winner Ginga Dude at Tauranga and pulled up scratchy in her action.
He is much happier after Irlanda galloped between races at Matamata on Wednesday accompanied by stablemate and race rival Kirra Sand.
"There was nothing seriously wrong with her action after Tauranga. It was more that it's been a long, hot, dry summer and the continual working on firm tracks and standing on concrete ground takes its toll.
"I've been swimming her a lot since then and she's a lot better," Noble said.
And after Wednesday's impressive gallop at the local races he believes she is back on track.
"They galloped 1400m and although Kirra Sand looked to be going slightly the better of the two at the finish, Irlanda had the heavier weight by about 10kg and she can be a bit casual about her work."
Kirra Sand finished only just ahead of Irlanda in the Tauranga race, but went exceptionally well, getting back and running on strongly to be only 2.5 lengths from Ginga Dude.
"I was surprised about her lack of speed early in that race," says Noble.
"But she finished it off really well and Jason Waddell was very happy when he came back in."
One positive for the two mares is the easing of a ground with rain early this week.
"I'd like to see a little bit more rain, but not too much - we're never happy, are we?"
