Disregard the failure of The Jewel at Hastings on Saturday, says Otago trainer Hec Anderton.
The Jewel finished third-last in the group one $150,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes after being trapped along the fence in a race that developed into sit and sprint.
Anderton believed he had not had The Jewel
in better order as she prepared for the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings on October 1.
"I walked her this afternoon and she felt fresher than she did last Friday," Anderton said from his Otaki base yesterday.
"I honestly don't think I have ever had her better. She is working through the bridle. But she has lost some of her brilliance.
"She was never a brilliant filly anyway but she is more dour now and wants a clear run at them. She did not get that on Saturday and I am marking it off the list."
Anderton expects there will be 14 starters in the Kelt, including Stoney Bridge Stakes winner Miss Potential, so the draw will be vital.
The luck on the trip north has not been good with stablemate Hustler who has undergone a bone chip operation on a knee after his lacklustre effort at his last start.
"The experts are optimistic he will be back but I don't know. It is hard to come back at that high level at his age," Anderton said.
* Miss Potential's owner-trainer Bill Borrie said a decision on whether a $45,000 late entry fee would be paid for the $1 million Kelt Capital Stakes at Hastings on October 8 would be reserved until today.
The late entry closes at noon.
"I'll have a look at the mare in the morning, see what she's like, see how well she's come through the race," Borrie said.
"She looked pretty bright this morning."
- NZPA
