Race Images Palmerston North
Stratford trainer Steve Gulliver admits he doesn’t know what result to expect from his talented galloper Shadow Fox in the Carters Ashhurst Pohangina Cup at Awapuni on Friday.
“He’s got all the ability in the world, but he keeps holding his breath,” Gulliver said. “He’s done it in all his last five starts and he even does it at home when I’m working him. You can’t gallop him without him holding his breath.
“I thought he must be hurting so I got the Waikato vet down and he went right through him and couldn’t find anything.
“He’s always done it, but he’s got worse and worse. I’ve changed bits and tried everything, but he still does it.
“It’s gutting because he’s up to winning good races, but you can’t have any confidence in him.
“He did it three times when he ran in the Anniversary last time. That’s why I’m dropping him back to 1200m on Friday. Hopefully he only gets to do it once.”
Despite his bad habit, Shadow Fox has won seven of his 23 starts and been placed on eight occasions, including a third behind Chambord in the Listed Levin Stakes (1200m) at Otaki four starts ago.
He had won the previous start, at Awapuni, over 1200 metres when setting the pace with Johnathan Parkes aboard.
“That’s the last time Johnathan was aboard and he’s back on him on Friday so I hope he can get him through it,” Gulliver said. – NZ Racing Desk