The blinkers will be missing today. Photo / Richard Robinson
SYDNEY - Canberra speed machine Murphy's Prospect will race without blinkers when the lightly-raced 4-year-old aims for back-to-back wins at Goulburn today.
Trainer Matthew Dale says removing the gear is an experiment.
"He'll still lead but the plan is to try and ride him a bit quieter," Dale said.
"Without
the blinkers, hopefully, he can relax and breathe better.
"He's a dead-set speed horse but he's still learning how to harness his ability."
Murphy's Prospect, a Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins mount, tackles the Radio Goulburn Class 2 Hcp (1000m).
The son of former sensational 2-year-old Murphy's Blu Boy, described by Damien Oliver as the fastest juvenile he had ever ridden, set the Queanbeyan track alight last start when scoring a five-length win over 900m in 51.9 seconds on October 11, just outside the track record.
"Around turning tracks like Queanbeyan, Murphy's Prospect is really suited with blinkers," Dale said yesterday.
"On bigger tracks, like Canberra and Goulburn, however, it's a different option. The longer straights are the challenge."
Initially with Joseph Pride in Sydney, Dale produced Murphy's Prospect first-up at Canberra on September 17 after a 41-week spell and the gelding showing blistering speed to lead clearly before wilting late for a 1-length fourth over 1000m.
"He was still new and went out a bit too hard at Canberra."
- AAP
