Forbury Park has proved to be a delightful track for Delightful Song, and her driver sees no reason why that trend cannot continue tonight.
Invercargill driver Kirstin Barclay teams up with the Bettor's Delight mare for the 13th time tonight, and the pair have recorded two wins together - both at Forbury Park.
But as you delve deeper, the 6yr-old's love affair with Forbury Park becomes more obvious. She has won three of her eight starts, and run out of the money just once in the other five.
''I don't think she's ever gone a bad race there, so you can't leave her out,'' Barclay said.
Delightful Song is one of three horses Barclay drives for Weedons trainer Neil Edge tonight, but Barclay likes Delightful Song's versatility - even from barrier 7 in the c3-c6 6yr-old and older mobile pace.
''She's actually pretty versatile. She can actually work out of the gate as well,'' she said.
''It doesn't really matter where you end up with her in the running, as she can stay or sprint. I think she's a pretty good show, actually. The way she goes on the track, she'd have to be my best chance.''
Barclay drove Delightful Song to second at Forbury Park in early October before the mare lined up at Addington, finishing sixth behind the talented Pass Them By.
''She had just backed off a good run at Forbury so she may have been a little bit on the flat side anyway.
''She'll probably just drop back and roll into it at some stage.''
The Doctor (race 4) has only visited Forbury Park four times, but the last visit was a successful one as Barclay guided the Dr Ronerail mare to a 3 length win.
Since then, The Doctor was 12th at Addington before doing the lion's share of the work at Winton over a mile on October 20, where she was run down in the closing stages by Beat The Rythem.
''Jonny Cox's horse just had too much speed for it at the finish, but she had the rest of them well covered.
''Forbury's pretty good to her, because she likes to get out and get handy.''
Barclay is yet to drive Pat's Success (race 1), as the Great Success 4yr-old has been to the trials and workouts in Canterbury.
''Neil said it's a pretty foolproof wee trotter - touch wood - and it should trot the whole way.
''I think they think a little bit of it.''
Barclay's other drive is for Invercargill trainer Tom Kilkelly. She takes the reins behind Highview Adele, who is having her first start this season after one attempt as a 2yr-old.
''She's got a wee bit of speed but she just lacks a bit of strength at this stage. It's just an educational run to see how she stacks up against them.''
