Ascot Park trainer Sean Bellew expects The Bubbly One to relish the 2000m at Gore today, no matter how wet the track. An upgrade brought the rating back to slow9, after the track was considered heavy yesterday morning, although either rating would be fine with Bellew.
‘‘She's been ploughing through it at home and she's had plenty of practice, it's been that wet this spring,'' he said.
The Bubbly One's runs this campaign have been over 1335m and 1600m and Bellew said a staying race had been the main target.
The barrier draw could also assist, as The Bubbly One is to jump from barrier 4, with Samantha Wynne the rider.
‘‘We'll use that gate and we'll sit midfield. She won't have to cover any extra ground and she should hit the line nicely. She'd be a top›three chance, without question.''
Bellew was happy with Saperavious in her resuming run at Winton on October 12 after five months between races, but less so with the draw or the handicapping for today's race.
‘‘She didn't get a soft lead at Winton. She had to work all the way,'' he said. ‘‘She sat outside Ellis Winsloe's horse [Skeet] and probably used up a bit too much petrol and was only found want› ing in the last 50m. In saying that, she's drawn 13 so we're going to ride her upside›down a wee bit.''
Bellew had aimed the daugh› ter of Saperavi at today's $12,000 Pearl Series race, but did wonder how today's rival, Thyme Zone, was able to stay in the rating 65 grade after beating Saperavious in the rating 65 1200m at Winton and gaining only four rating points.
