Greenhorn trainer Nell Foley has been taking small steps in her fledgling training career but stable pin up Chance Reward could be the horse that brings her dreams out into broad daylight come Friday.
The three-year-old filly has only had the three starts to date, placing in two of those before a ‘throw at the stumps’ on her home track last Friday at Goulburn in the transferred Kembla Grange Classic.
The daughter of Shamus Award drew wide in the race and breathed heavy outside the leader for most of the way before the back markers strutted their stuff late. Foley was far from disappointed in the effort.
“I was really happy with the way she went, she didn’t disgrace herself and put in a really good effort over the mile.”
Foley has decided on a quick back up for Chance Reward ($2.90 TAB) this Friday into a much more palatable Maiden Plate over 1500m, albeit against the boys and the girls this time.
Foley says the horse pretty much made the decision for her.
“She’s pulled up really well. Nice and bright and spent a few days in the paddock and came back in and worked well this week. We thought the back-up would suit her.”
The young trainer is also pleased that retained hoop Winona Costin gets a ‘more options’ draw this time around.
“Yes that’s better and hopefully we can ride her a little bit colder.”
A hands-on trainer with plenty of thoroughbred riding experience Foley says the filly has been a real motivator for her at this point in her training venture.
“I broke her in myself and I rode her in all her jumpouts. She won her first trial really nicely on a heavy track!”
Foley also pointed out that she’s been relatively easy to train so far.
“She does the training herself! She’s easy to ride, easy to handle on the ground, trains out on the paddock – prefers that – doesn’t eat when in a box. She goes to the beach, rides in the paddock and gets to go to the track which keeps her happy.”
Affirming the ‘dreams are free’ motto that many in racing subscribe to, Foley even threw a speculative nomination at this year’s Australian Oaks for Chance Reward, just in case the filly did graduate quicker than anticipated into that sort of playground.
“Thought we may have well put the nomination in and see what happens because she is bred to get over distance.”
Foley has a small team of horses in work at present with Chance Reward the ‘pick of the litter’ to date. All part of the ‘chance and reward’ that comes with the territory when you are starting out as a trainer.
Goulburn’s track is currently rated a Good 4 for Friday’s eight race card with the opening event timed to go at 1.10pm.
