MICHELLE Fleming is one of those dedicated trainers who is more concerned about the welfare of her gallopers than she is of chasing the big prize money.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
That was evident this week when the Tamworth trainer decided not to accept in the $20,000 Crystal Sprint (1200m) with Idle Shiver and the $40,000 cup (1600m) with stablemate Slippery Eel at Coonamble tomorrow. Instead she’ll support today’s Gunnedah meeting with Slippery Eel (1400m benchmark 50) and Monday’s meeting at Armidale with Idle Shiver (1100m benchmark 55).
Six-year-old mare Idle Shiver, owned and raced by Fleming with partner Dave Jamieson, will be looking for her fourth straight victory. All previous three have been over Monday’s 1100m trip, in benchmark 50 company and on the Armidale track.
“She loves the track,” Fleming said.
“I nominated her in the sprint at Coonamble but weighed up the odds. It’s a two-hour-plus trip out which can take lengths off a horse, and the field was tougher. I just couldn’t help myself. I’d already nominated her at Armidale so just had to do it – I accepted there.
“Same with Slippery Eel. I didn’t accept in the cup at Coonamble, it was far too tough. And travelling long distances with them isn’t good. Why take lengths off your horse when you can go to Armidale or Gunnedah where they both like racing.
“I just hope I’ve made the right decision for the horses.”
Both gallopers will be ridden by apprentice Mollie Partridge.
Idle Shiver was lobbed with top weight of 63kg on Monday while Slippery Eel was allotted 58.5kg.
“Mollie will take three kilos off their backs. The mare (Idle Shiver) has carried 59kg before, but not 60kg, so it’ll depend on whether she’s comfortable with it. It’s all right to do it now and again, but I wouldn’t ask her to do it all the time. She’s drawn the one box too. If she didn’t get a good barrier, I wouldn’t have run her at all.
“She’s at her peak now, so I’m expecting a good result. The 1400m though could be a bit short for Slippery Eel, but he’s feeling well and I think he’ll run a handy race.”
