A trip to Melbourne for the Subzero Challenge (1400m) at Flemington on Oaks day could be on the cards for Powerline after he runs in the Coolmore Denman Cup (1280m) at Muswellbrook on Monday.
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Trainer Kris Lees has had the race, restricted to grey horses, in the back of his mind for some time and the outcome of Monday’s race may help him decide whether to pursue the plan. Last year Gulgong-based trainer Brett Thompson won the race with Slate On Edge while Rod Northam ran second in it a number of years ago.
“A trip to Melbourne for him is a possibility and we will assess that plan after Monday,” Lees said.
“He has plenty of weight but is forward in condition and very consistent.”
Powerline underlined his ability when second behind stablemate Danish Twist in the Provincial Championship Final at Randwick in April. Since then he has been placed four times in city company without winning then was given a break before resuming to run sixth in the Hurricane on the Beaumont Newcastle track, distance that was too short for him.
“The distance of this race is much more suitable for him as will the 1400 metres at Flemington, if he goes,” Lees said.
Aaron Bullock, who is in rare form and consistently booting home winners for both Lees and Paul Perry, has the ride.
Northam is meanwhile watching the weather closely and will wait until the last minute before deciding whether to start I’m Not Sure, to be ridden by Robert Thompson.
“If the track is good he will have to be a chance but if it gets too wet he won’t run,” Northam said.
“I trialled him on Wednesday to keep him ticking over for this race but this is a tougher field than he has met lately.”
I’m Not Sure had good city form when trained by Peter and Paul Snowden then went off the boil and was sent to Northam in the hope that the relaxed country environment would help.
“We gave him two easy wins at Wellington and Armidale to try and get his confidence back up but I’m still not sure about the horse,” Northam said.
“He has become very cunning. His trackwork is always very good but we have to get him to translate it to his races.”
The testing material, apart from Powerline, will be the Wyong-trained Oscar’s Choice, to be ridden by Greg Ryan.
He won successive races at Wyong and Scone before a luckless sixth at Taree after being forced to race wide the whole trip. He has drawn awkwardly again from barrier 13 but drops 3kg on that previous run.
Ryan was one of the big winners at the 2016 NSW Country and Provincial Racing Awards Dinner held on Friday night winning the Country Jockey of the Year Award.
Brett Thompson took out the Country Trainer of the Year while Samantha Clenton was adjudged the Country Apprentice Jockey of the Year.
Moree and Walcha clubs were also among the winners with Walcha receiving the Community Race Club of the Year and Moree the Outstanding Achievement Award for their Chopper Cup.
Former Northern Daily Leader sports editor Geoff Newling was also acknowledged for his contribution to the industry with a Special Recognition Award.
