RUNNERS IN TWO STATES TODAY

Runners in two states for us today with Nerve Not Verve and Star Of Eden starting new preparations at Pakenham and Hawker Hurricane racing at Rosehill.

Nerve Not Verve (pictured) is the in the first race over 1600 metres with Mike electing to take advantage of Tatum Bull’s claim in the benchmark 70 handicap

“She didn’t have too long out and she carries some residual fitness into this,” Mike said.

“She’s drawn nicely in barrier one which gives her a chance.

“It’s a nice race to get her started, the key to her chances will be the speed - if they run along at a true pace then that gives her a chance to finish off but if its a dawdle early then that makes it harder.”

Star Of Eden runs in the second race over 1400 metres with Josh Richards aboard.

“I’m really happy with her,” Mike said. “She’s worked up well and trialled nicely, very good in fact.

“She is forward enough to run well and she usually does fresh.

“It looks a handy race so she will need a slice of luck but I’m confident she can run well.”

Hawker Hurricane is in the sixth race at Rosehill over 1200 metres and with Jay Ford booked to ride.

“We sent him there hoping for a soft track but Rosehill has missed the rain unfortunately,” Mike said.

“He’s been shaping as if he wants to be going right-handed and he did win going that way early in his career.

“He’ll jump from barrier nine now after scratchings so we will wait and see how the track is playing before making any firm plans but I suspect from there he will have to go back and then look to run on but we will wait and see

“He’s arrived in good order, eating well and I’m looking forward to seeing him race right-handed again.”