Trainer Mitch Beer is tipping a physically and mentally stronger Persister will produce a much improved effort in Tuesday’s Canadian Club 3yo Maiden Plate (1000m) at Kembla Grange.
Persister trialled up nicely but only beat one runner home in her maiden start at Kembla back in January.
Beer tipped out the daughter of Press Statement straight after the run and believes the lightly-raced filly has developed nicely during her time off as she prepares for her second start on home turf.
“She has come back a bit physically and mentally mature,” Beer said.
“She hit a dry track on debut and probably pulled up a bit jarring when she was a bit immature.
“We tipped her out and I thought she trialled pretty well the other day on the synthetic.
“She wasn’t asked too much and will appreciate a bit of give in the ground.”
Jason Lyon will pilot Persister ($8.50 on TAB) in her first-up assignment with Beer set to have a strong hand across the card.
Beer has elected to run stablemate Show Pony on home turf after scratching her from Goulburn on Monday.
Show Pony ($5) went close to breakthrough last start with a second on home turf and gets another chance in the Become An ITC Member Provincial Maiden (1300m).
“Show Pony was terrific last start getting out to a bit further, she hit the line really well,” Beer said.
“She likes the sting out of the ground and we opted to scratch from Goulburn to race for some better prizemoney because I think she is well up to it. Out to 1300m, she should be well suited.”
Luna Rocks ($10) is in her first preparation for Beer after joining from Richard and Will Freedman and will need to rebound back to top form.
The Hellbent mare finished runner up at her first two starts for the stable but looked a shadow of that galloper last start at Wyong. She contests the The Warra Club Conditional Benchmark 68 (1000m).
“There are two Luna Rocks,” Beer said. “I thought her first two runs were good and then she was really disappointing last start with no real excuses.
“She has had a good freshen up, she gets 1000m with Tommy Berry fresh so it will be D Day for her.”
Beer is hoping Your Not The Boss ($11) gains a start in the Balter Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m). The son of Street Boss was the second emergency and Beer is confident the gelding can run a big race second-up from a spell following a first-up third at the same venue.
“He was too close there and you have to ride him quiet,” Beer said. “His run was a lot better than it looked and he didn’t get beaten far in a decent race.”
“It was a heavy track first-up but he goes from a 68 back to a 64 and up in distance.” Grant Buckley has been booked to ride Your Not The Boss.
View final fields with full form & race replays for Kembla Grange here
