Racing: Relief after 'drought' breaks

Geoff Small was starting to question his ability as a trainer despite his Patumahoe stable having won more than $1.5 million in stake earnings this season.

With Australasia's premier free-for-all pacer Elsu under his care, winning had become a habit for Small this season - until last month.

Small had a minor training "drought", going six weeks without producing a winner. But the stable bounced back into form impressively at Alexandra Park on Friday night producing Against The Wind, Beware and Southern Raider to post impressive victories.

That took Small's record to 79 wins for the season in New Zealand and he is 21 clear of Tim Butt in the trainers' premiership.

"You might think I sound a bit greedy after all the big races I've won this season but I was starting to get a bit depressed as our stable went on a six-week drought," said Small.

"I was starting to wonder what I was doing wrong as we had a good team of horses in training but we weren't getting the results on the racetrack.

"It's hard enough motivating yourself to get up and train the racehorses on these winter mornings. This drought made it even tougher.

"The yearlings we purchased at the sales have been back into the stable for the last 10 days and it's quite exciting watching how they have matured following a break.

"Next week will also be very important for the stable as the hopples will go on Elsu for the first time. He had a month off training having an easy time and he's just completed a one-month jogging programme.

"He looks very good in his coat and in his eye and he seems to be enjoying life at the moment.

"That's a positive sign following a huge campaign when he raced in the New Zealand, Auckland and Hunter Cups as well as the Inter Dominion Series and Miracle Mile.

"He's a rising 6-year-old and I wouldn't expect a lot more maturity shown in his physique but he does look a bit stronger.

"He'll be at the trials in late August or September and will be ready to race in October.

"I haven't mapped out his entire racing programme but he'll be taken to the races when I think he's fit and ready to race.

"This season we had to rush his preparation to get him ready for the New Zealand Cup and this time there will be no pressure on us.

"I can take my time with him and have him a lot fitter before we take him to the races and he may have one or two lead-up races at Auckland before I take him to Christchurch.

"He'll race in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and possibly the New Zealand Cup Trial before racing in the New Zealand Cup.

"I've followed a similar plan over the last two years leading into the New Zealand Cup and it has taken freakish performances from Just An Excuse to deny us victory."

- HERALD ON SUNDAY