Selfie
Trish Dunell
Richard Collett is upbeat about Selfie's future, despite a short-term setback.
The Pukekohe trainer has had his share of frustrations with the multiple stakes placegetter and remains confident the best is yet to come from the three-year-old.
"He's in the paddock now after he had a chip on his knee removed," Collett said.
"It was picked up after he ran on Karaka Million night and he was operated on six weeks ago."
Runner-up in New Zealand's richest race last season, Selfie has been below par in his two most recent appearances following an unlucky third at Ellerslie behind Sofia Rosa before Christmas.
"He wasn't himself and was getting on one rein and laying in under pressure so at least we know what was troubling him," Collett said.
"He's still growing so he'll come back better. He's still got all the ability."
Meanwhile, the stable will take the covers off another promising type on Wednesday in Avondale debutante Irish Missile.
The well-bred filly will make her first race day appearance in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race, in which Collett's daughter Alysha will have the task of guiding the youngster from a tricky gate.
"She's drawn a little bit awkwardly, but she goes all right and a bit of rain wouldn't worry her," he said.
By Smart Missile out of a Zabeel mare, Irish Missile won a trial on the track last month.
"She's had a half-mile jump-out since then at Pukekohe against maidens and finished very close up without being pressured," Collett said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The Pukekohe trainer has had his share of frustrations with the multiple stakes placegetter and remains confident the best is yet to come from the three-year-old.
"He's in the paddock now after he had a chip on his knee removed," Collett said.
"It was picked up after he ran on Karaka Million night and he was operated on six weeks ago."
Runner-up in New Zealand's richest race last season, Selfie has been below par in his two most recent appearances following an unlucky third at Ellerslie behind Sofia Rosa before Christmas.
"He wasn't himself and was getting on one rein and laying in under pressure so at least we know what was troubling him," Collett said.
"He's still growing so he'll come back better. He's still got all the ability."
Meanwhile, the stable will take the covers off another promising type on Wednesday in Avondale debutante Irish Missile.
The well-bred filly will make her first race day appearance in the NZB Insurance Pearl Series Race, in which Collett's daughter Alysha will have the task of guiding the youngster from a tricky gate.
"She's drawn a little bit awkwardly, but she goes all right and a bit of rain wouldn't worry her," he said.
By Smart Missile out of a Zabeel mare, Irish Missile won a trial on the track last month.
"She's had a half-mile jump-out since then at Pukekohe against maidens and finished very close up without being pressured," Collett said. – NZ Racing Desk.