BRISBANE - Like everyone else in racing, Lorraine Nolan has more than just winning on her mind this week.
Nolan should be feeling the pressure as she puts the finishing touches on Yulestar, New Zealand's best chance in tomorrow night's $A500,000 Interdominion Pacing Final in Brisbane.
But Nolan is not nervous. She is sad.
Nolan and her husband Ron are close friends of Ken and Ann Browne and news of Tuesday's tragic accident has hit them hard.
"When we won the New Zealand Cup last year with Yuley the first people to ring us were Ken and Ann," said Nolan yesterday.
"Ken and Ron rode in amateur race together and we have all been friends for ages. It makes you realise that this is only a horse race we are talking about on Saturday night."
Although apparently that is not how Ann Browne sees the challenge facing the Nolans.
"I rang Ann as soon as I found out what had happened and we had a talk about it. Then she asked me what Yuley had drawn and she started telling me how nine could be a good barrier. That is what a special person she is."
Nolan says she is now motivated to bring the best out of Yulestar for the 2647m mobile event in which he will try to become the first New Zealand pacer to win an Interdominion on Australian soil in 24 years.
And she admits her confidence is growing.
"We had a few little things go wrong with him last Saturday night but he has improved every day this week.
"He is spot on and when Tony [Shaw] drove him this morning he told me all we would need is a bit of luck."
That could be an understatement as Yulestar has drawn one on the second line and Shaw has indicated he will sit on the marker line, probably three back, and await his shot at the, hopefully, tiring leaders.
"It looks like they will go very hard up front and while Yuley is better known as a stayer we think he could reel them in with one crack.
"It is the only real option we have because if Tony pulls back to last that leaves us a lot of work to do at some stage." Yulestar follows out Pocket Me who not only looks a certain early leader but the horse who holds the key to the race.
If, as likely, Anthony Butt chooses to take a trail on another runner, whoever he chooses to let go to the lead could be the horse to beat.
"I don't care who leads as long as they go very hard," said Nolan.
The Taranaki grandmother says regardless of the result she will emerge a better trainer.
"I have learnt a lot while I have been here. For example this week I haven't worked him as hard between races as I did in Melbourne during the Nights Of Glory carnival.
"This morning he only worked 3200m in 4:28, his final 400m in 28 seconds and he is loving his new training programme. He will be ready."
And the tactical decision to stay on the markers could prove a masterstroke.
The three biggest Grand Circuit staying races this season have been won by horses covering the least possible ground on the markers - Yulestar (New Zealand Cup), Flight South (Auckland Cup) and Another Party (Hunter Cup).
"He is ready. I would just love him to win so we can dedicate the race to Ken and Ann."
Some things are a lot more important than a horse race. Even the Interdominion Grand Final.
Racing: Sad Nolan working for Brownes
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