SYDNEY - Affable Randwick trainer Pat Webster believes he's already struck the trifecta heading into the $A120,000 Canterbury Stakes (1200m) under lights at Canterbury tonight.
Webster will saddle up noted speedster Shy Hero against a smart line-up of accomplished weight-for-age horses in the group two sprint.
"I've got the trifecta - a good horse, good hoop and good barrier," Webster said.
"I couldn't be happier with the way Shy Hero's going and I'd be disappointed if he didn't run well."
Shy Hero, winner of the T J Smith Stakes last May, will be ridden by Corey Brown and has drawn ideally in barrier one.
"The barrier makes a big difference," Webster contended.
"It's a big plus in my horse's favour.
"It's a lot better than having to work forward from out wide and use up the gas early.
"Shy Hero is the speed horse in the race. Hopefully Corey will be able to get out and be able to dictate his own terms."
Shy Hero was slightly disappointing last campaign but Webster said the four-year-old gelding had suffered back and other associated problems in Melbourne.
"He just wasn't right down there," Webster said.
"This time he's had a good spell and I'm fortunate the owner (Nick Vaas) is understanding in that way.
By Last Tycoon out of Prunotto, Shy Hero has won four of his 13 starts and $A349,955 in stakes.
While Shy Hero is headed towards the $A1 million Galaxy at Randwick on April 14, The Canterbury Stakes will also hold a lot of interest from a Doncaster point of view, notably with Assertive Lad, Epsom winner Shogun Lodge and in-form Melbourne three-year-old Mr. Murphy.
Shogun Lodge and Newcastle bulldog Adam are returning from Hong Kong where they contested the international series of races at Sha Tin on December 17.
Neither has had the benefit of a barrier trial, although respective trainers Bob Thomsen and Ray Brock said they have managed to get the necessary work into their charges to run well tonight.
The Lee Freedman-trained Mr. Murphy is coming off wins in the group one double - the Australian Guineas (1600m) and a dead-heat first in the Futurity Stakes (1400m).
Assertive Lad, from the Gai Waterhouse stable, injured following his slashing first-up win in the Royal Sovereign Stakes (February 17), but has worked strongly.
Racing: Speedster already lands trifecta
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