Wagga trainer Scott Spackman is confident O’ So Hazy will run a big race at Albury on Friday as she has her final hit-out before next month’s $500,000 Country Championships Final (1400m).
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
O’ So Hazy will be out to continue a brilliant run when she contests the $50,000 Baxters Concrete City Showcase Handicap (1175m) at Albury.
The four-year-old mare has not raced since her win in the $150,000 Southern District heat of the Country Championships (1400m) at Wagga on March 4.
The run in the City Handicap will be her only run ahead of the Championships Final at Randwick on April 7.
“This will be her last run before the big one,” Spackman said.
“It’s one of those ones where you either give her a run or you don’t. I think the run will suit her, over 1175m. I think it’s a beautiful race for her, she just didn’t draw a gate.”
O’So Hazy has drawn barrier 14 in the 15-horse field. She is a $4 chance with TAB, close behind the $3.80 favourite Bring A Secret from the Nick Olive stable.
While Spackman has one eye on the Championships Final, he said O’ So Hazy was going to Albury to win.
“She’ll be there to win it,” he said.
“It’s a prestigious race and a lot of good horses have won the race.”
Spackman said O’ So Hazy is in good condition.
“She’s perfect, I can’t fault her. She’s probably improved, if anything,” he said.
Wagga jockey Rebeka Prest has been ruled out of Albury Gold Cup day due to injury.
Prest was set to ride the Dave Heywood-trained Dyrham Park in the Cup and had a full book of rides but hurt her finger when falling off one at trackwork on Wednesday.
Prest, who is having a great season, expects to be out for two weeks. It is not the same finger that she previously spent time on the sidelines with.
Brooke Sweeney now takes the ride on Dyrham Park.
Prest also had rides on Man Of Peace in the City Handicap and Our Cashier in the Guineas.
Wagga will be represented in the Cup by Dyrham Park and the Trevor Sutherland-trained Willy White Socks.
Leeton-based apprentice jockey Josh Richards has the ride on first emergency, Butler Butler.