Last campaign Bettor Downunder went from a promising but frustrating horse to one of Victoria’s best mares and on Saturday night she looks to go to the next level when she resumes in the Harness Breeders Victoria Ladyship Cup.
Her trainer Steve Loftus has had to be patient with her but is now starting to reap the rewards for her untapped ability.
“She has started doing everything right. She always had the ability but it is now a matter of her doing it all right,” he said
“The breed has always had their issues early on and they have always seemed to take a bit of time. We have just had to be patient until she puts it all together and she proved she was getting better toward the end of her last campaign.”
Bettor Downunder is first-up on Saturday night in a strong field but Loftus is happy enough with her.
“She seems to be OK. She will probably need the run but everything hopefully looks all right,” he said.
Loftus doesn’t think gate five is as bad as it may seem on paper.
“It’s probably not a bad draw for her. She is better off out of the early bustle and allowed to find her feet and settle,” he said
“Her normal racing routine is to go forward, so once she settles into stride and everyone sorts themselves out she will most probably go forward and be near the lead.”
Even though the winner of Saturday night’s race gets automatic qualification into the Ladyship Mile, Loftus is using the race to find out Better Downunder will step out next.
“It will depend on how she performs … whether she goes to Menangle. She is still an M0 so if she is in need of a few runs we will stay home.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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