Trainer Nick Bishara is hoping the good times roll on again this weekend when Verry Flash tackles the ITM Interprovincial Challenge (1600m) at New Plymouth today.
The Ardmore Lodge conditioner, with just nine horses in work, is getting used to life in the winner's circle largely thanks to the recentsuccess of four-win gelding Verry Flash and his siblings Verry Elleegant and Black Lace, in addition to last-start winner Nulli Secundus.
"Verry Flash is very well heading into Saturday," Bishara said.
"We're a little bit concerned about the big pull in weights with Roc de Bank and Waipipi Lad dropping out, he's clear top-weight and giving some nice horses four or five kilos.
"There is a little question mark given he's never travelled away for the night from home. I'm taking a mate with him, it's part of the learning curve. We're leaving on Friday afternoon from Auckland and we'll be there before dark.
"We've got a night to settle in and the morning to potter around and give him a pick of grass, but I'm very happy with him."
The heavy 11 surface will not be a problem for Verry Flash, who has rapidly risen through the grades, winning four of his past five starts.
"He does handle wet ground well, as I've stated in the past he does go better on good tracks but I'll think the rain-affected track will disadvantage some of the others," Bishara said.
Although Verry Flash has been up since April and will be having the eighth start for the campaign, the four-year-old shows no sign of fatigue and has been well managed.
"It's hard to turn him out when we're winning," Bishara said.
"He has a week or 10 days in the paddock between runs and he gets lots of mini spells.
"It really is just like an on and off button. He goes out in the paddock, he chills out, and after a week or so he starts running around and tells you he's ready to come back in.
"He's such a clean-winded horse, he probably only takes two gallops to get to the races on a heavy 11. He really is a lovely horse to train."
Safely through today's contest, Verry Flash will likely contest the Listed Haunui Farm Karaka Classic (1600m) at Pukekohe on September 23, with the Listed Jakkalberry Classic (1950m) in October also a potential target. "That'll be a stepping stone into some nice early staying races," Bishara said.
