A forecast for rain in Sydney this weekend is music to the ears of Mark Minervini, who is keen to see Lord Mayors Cup hopeful Hosier back on rain-affected ground following a frustrating start to his campaign.
The gelding has won eight of his 11 appearances on soft and heavy tracks but hasn’t had conditions to suit in two recent runs, including when last in the Doncaster Prelude on a good surface in March.
“He’s a cunning old bugger. He knows if it’s not soft enough underfoot for him he just won’t stretch out,” Minervini said.
Next stop was the Scone Cup (1600m) where Hosier struck a track just into the soft range but endured a torrid run from barrier 15, tiring late to finish among the tailenders in a performance Minervini felt had merit.
“He was there when they swung for home and jrk Minervust blew out the last hundred metres, but I thought he ran really well at Scone,” Minervini said.
“He only got beaten four lengths and he’ll take good improvement out of it.
“If they get some rain in Sydney, which is forecast, his wet track form is outstanding and he will shake the life out of the race, I reckon.”
Minervini’s two other runners, Smiling Prophet in the Midway Handicap (1100m) and Diamond Model in the Bisley Workwear Handicap (1100m), are also proficient in the wet and the trainer regards both as genuine each-way chances.
He is hoping at least one of his trio can have their day in the sun, not only for the horse’s respective connections, but also to get the monkey off his back at the western Sydney track.
“I haven’t won a race at Rosehill,” Minervini said.
“It annoys me too. I’d like to tick that off and say, ‘we’ve been there, done that’, so hopefully I can do it on Saturday.”
