Roger James’ frustrations continue with his Gr.2 Rich Hill Mile contender Tavy, who will start from the outside gate at Ellerslie on Friday.
“I don’t think I’ve trained a horse in a long time that’s been subject to as many wide barriers as her,” the Cambridge trainer said.
“Once again she’s got 13 of 13 and I rated her as the best chance for us on the day until I saw the draw.”
Tavy has hit the line strongly in her last three appearances for a win and two placings, including a most recent second to Natuzzi in the Listed J Swap Sprint.
“I have heard it commented that it doesn’t make a difference to her because she gets back anyway, but the reason she is going back is because of the wide draws,” James said.
“It just means that in the last 600m she’s starting off five or six lengths further back than she needs to had she drawn in the first five or six.
“Having said that she’s been placed over the mile there and has won over 1500m at Ellerslie so she’s still a good chance especially at the weights. My enthusiasm however has been dampened by the draw.”
James will also be represented in the Gr.3 Scot Thrust City of Auckland Cup with Delago’s Secret and The Tidy Express.
Delago’s Secret is the defending champion and James has forgiven the stayer for his unplaced run in the Gr.3 Waikato Cup.
“He hasn’t disappointed me until last start when he got back in the running, as he does, and then didn’t make ground at all,” he said.
“I have looked at that race a lot and there were very few horses that got back and then made up ground on that day so I have given him an excuse for that run.”
A multiple Group placegetter, The Tidy Express will be making her final appearance for the stable.
“She is in foal and her run last start was right up to her best form when she was second in the Waikato Cup.”
