Team Raboki gained a pass mark.
The astute training combination of Shannon Price and Scott Miller ventured to the Albion Park trials yesterday (Tuesday) with many of their stablestars and walked away contently with their efforts.
Classy mares Bettor Promise and Bettorthanspecial headlined their attack and the four-year-olds finished one/two in the 1660m workout in a time of 1:58.6 while the final half was covered in 56.8 seconds.
It was Bettorthanspecial who finished best to score after sitting three back on the pegs and sprinting hardest to run down Bettor Promise while stablemates Ideal Situation held third after leading and Chevals Clivesdale made good late ground for fourth.
“It was a pleasing start for all involved and we can hopefully build on that now as we look to kick off the New Year. I was happy with both mares and they will certainly improve on that effort but I will definitely look to trial them again before looking at a race return.” Co-trainer Scott Miller said.
Both mares enjoyed solid success last season with Bettor Promise winning the Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad 3yo Fillies Final defeating Bettorthanspecial while they both filled placings in other classics throughout the term.
The Rising Stars Championships proved to be a goldmine for both mares last season but with the series discontinued, connections are now looking for other alternatives.
“They were great because it enabled you to chase some good prizemoney in between other targets throughout the year, it gave you something to aim at and then chase it but they weren’t easy to win. Sure, we got lucky along the way and both mares snared a few but it was never easy.
“We actually haven’t got anything to aim at right now with these mares now that those races have been scrapped so we’ll just take them along nice and steady and see if we can find something along the way. We will sit down and go through all the programs and see if anything jumps out after their next trial.
“Both mares come back on fairly loose marks and we’ll start looking at interstate features in the coming months and see if we can find something suitable south of the border. They would need to keep improving before we look at any major mare’s events but you never know what can happen in this game, things can change pretty dramatically.”
Meanwhile, last start Gr.1 QBRED Triad 2yo Fillies winner Special Moment is expected back at the trials next week as she prepares for a busy season of racing ahead.
The Bettors Delight filly will focus on local events but connections believe she has improved during her time away from the track.
“The plan is to trial her and Rocknrollhighlight (QBRED consolation winner) next week, both fillies are likely to have two trials before racing again because they both had lengthy breaks following their rookie campaigns.
“Both fillies have returned in good shape and we’re hopeful they can measure up again, we know we got lucky winning the Triad with Special Moment. I think Grant Dixon and his fillies (Get in the Groove & Cherish the Moment) look the testing material.”
Talented junior reinsman Paul Diebert is set to join the stables in the coming weeks.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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