Racing: More wins left before retirement

A setback suffered after Flying Sands' last-start win has not discouraged trainer Peter Cowan about her prospects tonight at Addington.

Indeed, Cowan believes the resurgent mare may even be better than when she beat a comparable field two weeks ago.

"She suffered a stone bruise which came up virtually straight after the race," he said.

"We gave her about three days off but she's pretty fit. I would think she would actually be a bit better than when she won last time."

Early in her career Flying Sands stamped herself as one of the best mares in the country when setting a still-unsurpassed national record over 1950m at just her eighth start.

But her development was hindered when early the following season she suffered an injury that sidelined her for more than a year.

After winning at her first start back from that injury, Flying Sands has not dodged the tough races this season, taking on the top mares at group one level and also competing in the Interdominions.

"She had to have an operation on a ligament at the back of her knee," said Cowan. "The vet told us it was basically the same sort of thing that Tana Umaga had before the World Cup.

"She can still do the same sort of times but I don't think she's quite as good as she was as a 4-year-old."

Despite those reservations, Flying Sands' latest win showed she should have little trouble adding to her career tally of nine wins before she is retired to the broodmare paddock this year.

"She could probably have another good year," said Cowan, "but we'll put her in foal this year. She's sound as a bell now but I don't think she has much more to prove as a broodmare.

"The only reason she's in at the moment is that she's racing so well and she looks a million dollars."

Under the preferential barrier draw conditions of tonight's race, Flying Sands will again start from the outside of the front line, though that is unlikely to greatly impede the brilliant beginner.

In her latest win, Flying Sands was able to cross easily from that same draw and Cowan expects driver Jim Curtin to employ the same tactics tonight.

Flying Sands' toughest opposition could come from another horse who has enjoyed something of a comeback this season.

Jackson Browne has thrived in the David and Catherine Butt stable in recent months, after being away from the races for a year and a half.

He got closest to Flying Sands last time after being in the open from the 1000m. Another race-rival tonight, Precocious Title, ran home attractively for fifth after getting a long way back.

Her trainer, Robbie Holmes, says punters should not read anything into the fact that he will drive stablemate Hayton Ana and regards both as good chances.

But Holmes considers neither to be as good a winning prospect as House Master in race three. The talented 3-year-old has not raced since finishing sixth in the Southern Supremacy Stakes in January.

"He raced pretty well that day but didn't go as well as I hoped," said Holmes. "When he got home his legs puffed up and it turned out he had a viral problem.

"He came home well at the workouts last week and he has shown good gate-speed in the past."