Awapuni trainer Mike Breslin has his fingers crossed promising sprinter Fleetwood Mac overcomes his second-up hoodoo in the $9000 De Boer Building Services Handicap at Trentham today.
Fleetwood Mac has shown glimpses of being well above average in his seven race-day starts but just when Breslin has started to get his hopes up, the horse has been struck down by another muscle problem in his hind-quarters.
Breslin believes the problem arises when Fleetwood Mac exerts himself too much leaving the barrier and when racing in cramped quarters.
The five-year-old was a last-start winner on the course on November 25.
On that occasion regular rider Hayden Tinsley eased out from behind the leaders and he won under a hold by two lengths.
That was his first race for nine months and before that he had been forced to take another break, this time for four months.
"He seems really good at the moment but it is always second-up when it strikes so you can never be too confident with him," he said.
"He has galloped well since the Trentham win and if there were no problems I would expect him to go very close."
Fleetwood Mac has a change of rider today with Woodville apprentice Thomas Russell entrusted with the job from the ace draw.
Breslin's distinctive emerald green and orange colours should be to the fore today.
He also has winning possibilities with Citizen Roi and lightly trained maiden Bellajet while Kanga has place prospects in the day's final race, the $9000 C3 Fliway 1600.
Citizen Roi was beaten favourite at Otaki last week but Breslin has no doubts he has the ability to redeem himself in the $8000 Avery Food Famis (1400m).
Citizen Roi displayed a reluctance to take gaps in the running at Otaki but once the field fanned out when the false rail came into play he ran home generously.
"He's field shy but if things went his way he could win, and win well," Breslin said.
Citizen Roi, who broke maiden ranks fresh-up on the track on October 23, will again be ridden by Jim Walker.
Bellajet has been away from the racetrack for 14 months but won a jumpout at Awapuni recently and has the services of Michael Walker in the $5000 Lion Brown Maiden (1000m).
Breslin has a half share in the four year-old and said if her mind was on the job she was certainly up to getting a slice of the money.
"She has always had ability but she never eats and has no constitution," he said.
"She is better this time in but she has to be taken on trust."
Kanga has had an easy time since returning from Riccarton where she raced without much luck.
- NZPA
Racing: Trainer crosses fingers against second-up hoodoo
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