Racing: Elusive first win in reach

Satin Jitterbug needs to be wide awake leaving the gates in race 1 at Oamaru today to be a factor...
Satin Jitterbug needs to be wide awake leaving the gates in race 1 at Oamaru today to be a factor in the 2200m maiden. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
The first few hundred metres might tell the story with Satin Jitterbug as she chases that elusive maiden win at Oamaru today.

The mare has racked up 22 starts in search of her first victory, recording three seconds and six thirds along the way.

Two of those seconds came in her third-last and penultimate starts before she came slightly undone at Oamaru on June 12.

Her Ascot Park trainer, Sally McKay, expects the Steven Woodsford-trained Sweet Indulgence will be hard to beat, but Satin Jitterbug will help her cause if she makes a smarter start than 11 days ago.

‘‘She should run a placing anyway,'' McKay said.

‘‘She was in season last week and it took her half a race to get herself into race mode.''

The Oamaru track is again living up to its reputation as a firm winter track, rated as a dead6 yesterday afternoon.

‘‘I think the Oamaru track is a wee bit too good for her, but the field is weak and she's out of season. She's pretty genuine, so I think she'll be thereabouts, but I think Sweet Indulgence has got it myself.''

Lizzie Bordon debuts over 1200m in race 4, although McKay said the 4yr-old mare was also dealing with seasonal issues.

This means a winter campaign, but complicating matters is her inability to relax during trips away from her Ascot Park base.

‘‘I haven't really had a trial or anything with her so she's going in a wee bit green.

‘‘She has got ability and she's quite nicely bred, but she's got an issue with travelling on the float so this is going to be a mystery for us, really. We'll just see how she travels but this is a learning curve for her this week.''

McKay was very disappointed in Caper Caleb (race 6) at Oamaru on June 12, barely making an impression for eighth after getting back.

However, a drop back in distance to 1600m will be a big help.

‘‘I'm pleased to be back in a mile,'' McKay said.

‘‘He worked very well at the beach yesterday, and it's not the strongest field. He should run in [the first] four - I'll be very disappointed if he doesn't.''

The Lion Queen (race 9) will be sent to stud in September, so will have a few more runs before ending her career at the end of the season.

The national jockeys' premiership race will continue at Oamaru today.

Both Lisa Allpress (150 wins) and Matthew Cameron (143 wins) will be on course to continue their battle for the title.

Cameron has four top chances for the Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards team, led by Hushed in the rating 80 2200m.

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