HIS mare just picked up the biggest win of her career to date and now Bathurst trainer Steve Jones is hopeful Write About Her can improve further in the Medlyns Castrol Series Gig Final (2,040 metres).
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Write About Her won her heat on Friday and will return to the Parkes track just three days later in a bid to repeat that success, although this attempt will be against a stronger field.
A change of tactics and gear for Write About Her’s heat proved a winning combination for Jones and driver John Vautin, who returns for the final.
Write About Her got to the front from gate four in her heat and attempted to lead from start to finish.
She was successful in that bid – but only just – as she held on by a short half head over charging favourite Josephine Brook.
“It was a little bit against her racing pattern,” Jones said of the heat win.
“We haven’t had a lot of luck with her in front before but with a change of gear on her head it seems to have worked for her.”
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Write About Her gets an identical starting spot for Monday’s $10,000 final.
This time there’s added speed on her inside with Anthony Winell’s leading contender Beautifulvengeance going out from gate one.
Jones believes his mare can adopt a similar race pattern for Monday’s decider.
“We’ll probably do the same thing and see how we go,” he said.
“She’s got a fair bit of ability. It’s just been about getting it out of her. She’s getting older now and more used to racing and going up a level.
“She’s a really easy horse to get along with. She goes out and does her work and that’s it.
“The one horse is the one to beat and there’s a couple of others in their going good. She’ll have to be on the top of her game to win this race.”
Josephine Brook gets a chance at redemption for fellow Bathurst trainer Robbie Clifford when she starts on the back row.
Leigh Davis’ Studleigh Stride also shapes up as a horse to watch after a gritty heat performance.
The race is stacked with Bathurst hopes. The Turnbull family are well represented through Lukes Gift (Nathan), Jogalong Arn (Wendy) and Multi Score (Josh) while Peter Bullock qualified Shazam Shannon.
The top-graded event on the Parkes card is the C4 to C6 grade Langlands Hanlon Sprint (1,660m).
Queensland Oaks runner-up Major Occasion (Chris Frisby) and recent Cherry Festival Cup champ Mackeral (Bernie Hewitt) are leading chances.
