The tablelands winter can often verge to grey, as evidenced by the multiple sheep grazier alerts issued up that way in recent weeks!
But that hasn’t worried Goulburn trainer Scotty Collings. His grey sprinter Skaifee ($10 Tab Odds) tackles a class two on his home patch on Monday with the gelding having been front and centre of a recent form renaissance for the stable.
The stable has posted three winners and another three placings from seven runners during July.
Skaifee resumed at Goulburn on July 9 and was the lead act in a stable quinella with barn bestie Bleue’s Choice. Skaifee then backed that up with a fast finishing top three result at the Sapphire Coast a few weeks later.
Collings has now coaxed two wins out the grey sprinter from just eight starts and thinks we are now seeing his best at age four.
“We are not doing anything different training wise but he has just matured since last preparation,” Collings indicated.
Despite his pay dirt fresh form Collings is confident Skaifee can hold his good numbers third up on Monday.
“He has come through his last run really well.”
Despite Goulburn’s current Heavy 9 rating, the forecast of fine weather for the next few days and a potential track upgrade would be ideal.
“Don’t know how he will handle the heavy but anything in the Soft 6/7 range he is relishing for now.”
As for gate eight, the stable isn’t too phased indicating “he will go back and be ridden off the speed”.
Apprentice Amy McLucas continues her association with the horse on Monday, having piloted him in both outings this time in, her two-kilo claim keeps him competitive at the weights.
The sort of trainer who keeps chipping away with a small team, Collings has a number of his gallopers feeding off the good form each has produced of late.
Bleue’s Choice is having a breakout campaign with a win and two runner-up results from three winter starts now tattooed to his resume.
The galloper that Collings is also excited about is Ten Bells. A daughter of Nicconi, the four-year-old mare has now won two of her first three starts. She was ultra-impressive resuming on a heavy track at Goulburn’s most recent meeting.
The performance prompting Collings to plan for a positive future with her.
“She is a promising mare who is showing great potential from three starts. She will work through her grades with the possibility of a start in Sydney down the track.”
Race names at Goulburn on Monday acknowledge premiership winners for the 2020/21 racing season including Horse of the Year – Vee Eight (Sue Laughton), Jockey of the Year – Blaike McDougall, Trainer of the Year – Waterhouse / Bott and Apprentice of the Year – Jean Van Overmeire.
Goulburn’s track is currently rated a Heavy 9 with fine weather forecast throughout the next three days into Monday.
Photo: Bradley Photos
