Tuesday, 21 April 2009: Toowoomba trainer Mick Flanigan is adamant Choister isn't just a wet tracker, but admits he will be happy to see wet weather in Sydney this weekend.
The Queensland colt thrashed his rivals in the Listed Fernhill Stakes on heavy ground at Randwick last start and this weekend faces a steep class rise as he tackles the Group 1 Champagne Stakes.
But he is a last start track and distance winner and with conditions to suit him, can measure up according to the stable.
“He doesn't need a wet track,” Flanigan said. “He's one of those horses that are able to handle both wet and dry. But a wet track would enhance our chances.”
Choistar
was a three lengths debut winner on top of the ground over 1018m at Toowoomba where he showed enough early speed to sit just off the lead, while last start in the Fernhill, over a mile on heavy ground, he came from near last to cruise away.
Flanigan said his best attribute is to be able to relax in the run and is confident he will be hard to hold out on Saturday.
“He just relaxes so well. He'll camp just off them no matter what the speed and he doesn't pull.”
Hugh Bowman had the ride in the Fernhill but Corey Brown put the colt through his paces this morning at trackwork and was happy enough to commit to Saturday's ride.
