Racing: Reid sacks himself

Steven Reid nominates Another Matter as the best of his nine runners tonight.

Some refreshing honesty is proving one of the keys behind trainer Steven Reid's remarkable season.

Even if it is costing him money along the way.

Reid and training partner Graeme Rogerson have had a wonderful year for a first-season partnership, winning 64 races and over $1.2 million in stakes, placing them in the top five in the national premiership.

That comes at a time when Reid has had to radically restructure his career, joining forces with thoroughbred legend Rogerson and splitting from long-time stable patron Robert Famularo.

Reid now runs two separate properties and the extra demands have forced him into making a choice many trainers struggle with.

"I am so busy I can't drive all the horses myself, even if I wanted to," says Reid, who has developed into an astute reinsman in recent years.

"And to be honest, I am not the right person for some of these horses.

"Sometimes you have a run of bad luck, or a horse doesn't suit you or you don't get on with it. So I have had to be realistic and sack myself from some horses."

He did that last night on three favourites at Cambridge and will do so again with Deimos and Baileys Spirit, both winning chances at Alexandra Park tonight.

Yet on a night with nine stable representatives, Reid still has plenty of horsepower to choose from.

And the star of his show should be Another Matter in the $15,000 handicap pace.

The 4-year-old returned to racing with a brave second last Friday and meets a similar field tonight with the advantage of improved fitness.

The winner of six races at tonight's venue, he looks to have a class edge on most of his rivals, particularly if he steps well.

"He will be better than last week and if he races up to his best he will be very hard to beat," enthuses Reid.

The enigma of the race is Will Carter, who disappointed last start and may not be as potent right-handed as he is at Cambridge. Along with Saucy Magic, Family Spirit and Fight Fire With Fire, he provides punters with plenty of options.

Reid also has at least a place chance with second-stringer Ultimo.

He believes he can start the night with a win behind Napoleon Dynamite (race one), who has raced strongly in better fields lately.

A second-line draw looks the biggest danger to Deimos in race two, while Reid opts for Baileys Spirit over Dark Hero in race four.

"I'll drive Dark Hero as he probably needs a run but Baileys Spirit has been unlucky and is working well."

Gotta Go Under Fire is clearly better than maiden grade and will have supporters in race five but faces the talented Winnie's Central, who was luckless last Friday and will start favourite.

"I also have Lord Patrol and Hoof It in race six and I think Hoof It can get some of it if they go hard."

MAKING BRAVE CALLS

* Steven Reid has not been scared to sack himself from winning chances in his own stable this season.

* But it has paid dividends, with he and partner Graeme Rogerson fifth on the national premiership.

* Reid rates Another Matter a big winning chance in the handicap pace at Alexandra Park tonight.

* He also suggests punters stick with Napoleon Dynamite and Baileys Spirit.