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Special Effort Required

1 February 2018

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There’s plenty at stake for Bettorthanspecial this weekend.

The highly decorated mare resumes in the WCF Team Teal Open Pace at Albion Park on Saturday night, her first start since being unplaced behind Aztec Bromac in the Gr.2 $60,540 Queensland Cup on December 16.

Prepared by Shannon Price and Scott Miller, the reigning Queensland Mare of the Year is being aimed at Australia’s premier mare’s event, the Gr.1 $200,000 Ladyship Mile at TABCORP Park, Menangle on February 24.

Last season, Bettorthanspecial finished third behind A Piccadilly Princess and Frith in a time of 1:50.4.

“That’s the path we’re heading down again but she needs to prove to us that she’s ready for the challenge. And that challenge begins this weekend.” Co-trainer Miller said.

The multiple feature race winner indicated recently in a public trial at Albion Park that she is trekking in the right direction for another southern campaign.

The Bettors Delight mare looked sharp winning the 1660m workout in a time of 1:54.9 while covering her final 800m in slick sectionals of 28.3 and 27 seconds.

On Saturday night, Bettorthanspecial has drawn awkwardly in gate six over the sprint trip of 1660m with several key rivals drawing more advantageously.

“It was a solid start point for her current campaign, we freshened her after the summer carnival and the trial last week (January 23) indicated she’s come back in good order.

“The draw doesn’t look good on paper and Adam (Sanderson – driver) will need to drive for luck but he knows her capabilities and will drive her accordingly.

“A pleasing effort will give us confidence of heading south and tackling one of the lead-up races at Menangle. Again, there are several good mares up and about and we need to be at our absolute best.”

Glenferrie Hood, a winner of three of his past four starts, must overcome a potentially tricky second-line draw while in-form mare Village Witch has drawn ideally in gate one.

Quality mares Smooth Showgirl (gate 5) and Joys A Babe (gate 10) also rate highly on their current form.

Chris Barsby | RQ Web News | February 1 | Photo by Dan Costello