Stephen Marsh is hoping talented filly Nahema can obliterate any nagging doubts that she hasn't returned to the form she's capable of when she races at Wanganui on Thursday.
She goes into the Ray Stevens Mayoral Candidate 1200 with a hugs-and-kisses form line and she raised more concerns than satisfied them when she was unplaced in a trial at Cambridge six weeks ago.
"Her trial was ordinary so our fingers are crossed she can turn that form around and we're hoping for the best," Marsh said.
"We'll get a really good guide as to where she's at with the race tomorrow."
At her best, Nahema has proven she is high-class.
She followed an Avondale trial win and debut win at Te Aroha with a gritty second placing to Serena Miss in the Gr.2 Matamata Breeders' Stakes, hitting the line strongly in tight quarters.
That prompted a start in the Gr.1 Manawatu Sires' Produce Stakes, but Nahema was unable to replicate the same form and after a spell she resumed with an unplaced run in the Gr.3 Gold Trail Stakes at Hastings in September after getting a long way back in running.
"She's doing really well at home, but that trial was a head-scratcher. She really didn't do much at all," Marsh said.
"Her work since has been good though and we know what a good filly she is. The worry is she's not a big filly and she has to carry 59 kilos. But I'd like to think she could go down to Wanganui and really put her hand up."
