By Isaac Murphy
Placement and patience have been imperative to the success of the Helen Page-trained Reindeer Moon, who will look to claim a fourth win this preparation on Wednesday at the Gold Coast Turf Club.
The talented filly, who has amassed an imposing record of three race wins from five starts will look to tackle a field of Open Class three-year-olds the over the 900m dash in the first race on Wednesday.
Page is aware she has a potential black-type filly in Reindeer Moon, but finding the path to success with the help of Queensland’s QTIS scheme is an ongoing process.
Page purchased the filly at the Magic Millions in partnership with long time owners Frank and Christine Cook.
“They’re great owners of mine so we always converse on the horses to buy,” Page said.
“We liked the size about her, plus she was one of the only QTIS horses available in the first session.”
QTIS benefits are a huge drawcard for owners looking to buy into the Page stable with the Gold Coast trainers innate ability to place Queensland raced horses.
“The owners buy lots of horses but I get the QTIS horses because of the Queensland connection, so I like to have my two cents worth when it comes to the horses because I’m the one that has to do something with them.” She said.
Despite Reindeer Moon’s outstanding second preparation it took the horse a long time to mature.
“Last preparation I couldn’t even get her to a barrier trial and when I eventually did she ran awful, miles last so I tipped her out from there,” Page said.
“So this is really her first preparation, she’s gone from a trial straight into racing, so she’s done an amazing job for a first prep.”
While Page has her sights set on larger targets down the track she’s had to be tactical in picking the right races for a filly still learning her craft.
“I had her in (The Gold Coast Guineas) on Saturday but she drew barrier 13, plus it was a hot field so we decided against it,” she said.
“We’re being a bit ambitious with her, Wednesday is an open three-year-old and she is just still a Class 3, but I’d love to run her in a Group or Listed race as a three-year-old, but that may not be this time.”
Reindeer Moon comes into Wednesday’s contest off back-to-back wins over the 1100m at Beaudesert and, while Page admits the distance drop presents a challenge, Jockey Dan Griffin is confident his mount will measure up.
“We had a bit of a setback drawing wide for the Gold Coast Guineas, so she’s back to the 900 Wednesday which probably isn’t best suited but her class could well get her there,” he said.
Page said she was more than happy to run the filly in open company with the prize money on offer, plus potential QTIS bonuses.
“Hopefully another win and I’ll be able to get her into a black type race,” Page said.
“Most importantly I don’t want to break her heart at this stage of her life she’s got all that talent there.”