Miss Three Stars
Race Images Christchurch
Tommy Beckett isn't sure what he's going to get from Miss Three Stars at Wingatui on Saturday.
The Ascot Park trainer is more than happy with the mare's condition ahead of the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap, but a forced change of jockey has him nervous.
Miss Three Stars' regular partner Samantha Wynne has opted for the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Son Of Maher and Group One-winning rider Racha Cuneen has been booked as her replacement.
While Beckett doesn't doubt Cuneen's talents in the saddle, it's more than a matter of ability when it comes to getting the best out of Miss Three Stars.
"It all depends on the mare – she only really runs for Sam and she's won eight races on her so I'm not very happy about it," he said.
Miss Three Stars hasn't raced since she finished out of the money in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup, a defeat Beckett has shouldered the blame for.
"I sprinted her up before that and it got her too toey and she pulled and reefed in the race," he said.
"I was going to carry on with her, but sometimes the paddock can level them out. She's coming up well now and doing everything right.
"A bit of rain to take the jar out of the ground would help her as well."
Safely through Saturday, Beckett has eyes for a feature race hat-trick.
"She'll be going to the Riverton Cup again – it would be nice to win three of those in a row," Beckett said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Ascot Park trainer is more than happy with the mare's condition ahead of the Gr.3 White Robe Lodge Handicap, but a forced change of jockey has him nervous.
Miss Three Stars' regular partner Samantha Wynne has opted for the Michael and Matthew Pitman-trained Son Of Maher and Group One-winning rider Racha Cuneen has been booked as her replacement.
While Beckett doesn't doubt Cuneen's talents in the saddle, it's more than a matter of ability when it comes to getting the best out of Miss Three Stars.
"It all depends on the mare – she only really runs for Sam and she's won eight races on her so I'm not very happy about it," he said.
Miss Three Stars hasn't raced since she finished out of the money in the Gr.3 New Zealand Cup, a defeat Beckett has shouldered the blame for.
"I sprinted her up before that and it got her too toey and she pulled and reefed in the race," he said.
"I was going to carry on with her, but sometimes the paddock can level them out. She's coming up well now and doing everything right.
"A bit of rain to take the jar out of the ground would help her as well."
Safely through Saturday, Beckett has eyes for a feature race hat-trick.
"She'll be going to the Riverton Cup again – it would be nice to win three of those in a row," Beckett said. – NZ Racing Desk.
