Awapuni stable-mates High Altitude and Ron need to put their best hooves forward in the $25,000 Winter Oats (2000m) at Trentham tomorrow, otherwise their racing days look numbered.
Nikki Hurdle, who trains in partnership with her husband Peter, said it was time the pair produced some form to warrant the hard work going into them and the headaches they gave in return.
High Altitude used to be a toff in bad ground but in this campaign the six-year-old has lacked his normal zip on the two occasions he has had conditions to suit.
After three lead-up runs he was fifth over 1600m on his home track - beaten by 10 lengths by Top O The Straight.
Last start when the trainers were confident of a bold run he battled into sixth behind Likely Story at Ellerslie on June 16.
Eight-year-old Ron went two good races last month, a third to Mudgee's Gold at Otaki and a close second to Charlie Chase at Ellerslie, but just as the Hurdles got excited he disappointed at Wanganui on June 28 when only fifth behind It's A Steal.
"To be honest, they might be coming to the end of their careers. We are not over-confident about either on Saturday," Nikki Hurdle said.
"Certainly it is time High Altitude put his hand up. We can't do much more."
High Altitude has raced 39 times for eight wins and a third placing. Seven of those wins have come from 16 starts in heavy ground.
The faint hope remains that he is yet to strike his favoured loose footing.
"Leith Innes [his jockey] felt he wasn't putting in like he should have at Ellerslie, which was disappointing because we were expecting a big run," Hurdle said.
The Hurdles continue to work through their bag of tricks and they have nominated High Altitude for next month's Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton in the hope he can find some form.
Ron's improved form last month could perhaps be put down to his first wake-up call - a bout of schooling.
He has had 58 starts for five wins, 12 seconds and five thirds.
"He came right after the schooling and I really thought he would go a big race at Wanganui, but he lacked the spark," Hurdle said.
Woodville apprentice Thomas Russell will ride one of the pair.
Under Contract and Skywalker will also represent the stable tomorrow.
Under Contract has been troubled by injury but the Yachtie four-year-old is on the way back and tackles the class one 1000m.
Skywalker won over 1400m at Awapuni on June 9 but faces a huge task against highly-rated Revolution and Danzapride in the $20,000 special conditions maiden race over 1400m.
- NZPA
Racing: Stablemates on notice to perform
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