Quartet of Runners at Home Track

With the track predicted to be a Dead6 on Wednesday afternoon, the Ballymore team has looked to make the most of what will hopefully be improved track conditions when stepping out four runners for the day.

Majic El (Sir Percy) will be the first to represent the team when he lines up in the maiden event over 1200m and will have the services of Michael ‘King’ Coleman aboard.

Jumping from a wide draw, co-trainer Pam Gerard feels the son of Sir Percy is ready to go after showing good speed at his last two jump outs.

“He’s drawn two wide gates in a row, but he’s that well in himself he needs to get off the mark and with the track likely to up a Dead6, Mike and I feel he is capable of running a race,” Gerard said.

“Last preparation he tended to do things a little wrong, but he appears a bit more mature and relaxed this time around so we’re hoping he can relay this on the track.”

The second runner is first starter Dreamcrafter (Mastercraftsman) who will be making her debut in the maiden fillies and mares event over 1200m.

To be ridden by senior rider Mark du Plessis, Dreamcrafter has fallen victim to the heavy tracks and hasn’t had the opportunity to trial, although a couple of good jump outs should see her capable of running a competitive race.

“She’s probably going to find the 1200m trip a touch short and today is about ensuring she has a positive experience,” Gerard said.

“There’s plenty to like about her and we can see her being competitive over ground as the season progresses.”

The third runner is Avec Moi (Pour Moi), who was far from disgraced at her debut outing against a very strong three-year-old field at Te Rapa, and should appreciate the step up to 1400m.

Local jockey Craig Grylls takes the mount on the three-year-old and comes up against an even, and lightly tried field.

“She’s a very nice filly in the making and she’ll continue to take plenty of benefit from the more racing she carries out.”

“We have her earmarked as a potential Oaks filly and we’ll just take her along quietly – we just hope the she can handle the track with a bit of cut in it.”

The final runner of the day is the talented Soul Sista (Pentire) who just can’t quite receive the rub of the green being allocated another wide draw.

She takes her place in the Rating 65 event over 1600m with Mark du Plessis to take the ride.

“She’s been a very unlucky filly/mare throughout her career so we’re hoping she can make her own luck this preparation as she has shown a good amount of potential.”

“There is no doubt she has come to hand very well this time in it’s just about readying her for the right races over summer.”