CHEVALIER LOVING THE RAIN FOR CITY DOUBLE HOPE
- John Curtis
- 46 minutes ago
- 2 min read
The Hawkesbury trainer says it’s the first time he has an opportunity to take two horses to a city meeting – both with live chances.
Chevalier will be represented by The Iron Star in the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1900m), and Xpresso in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1250m).
Tyler Schiller rides The Iron Star, and Adam Hyeronimus has been booked for Xpresso.
Canterbury this morning was rated a ‘Heavy 8’, with more rain forecast.
“I’ve had two runners in town before, but never with two really good chances,” Chevalier said this morning.
“Both horses can handle the heavy ground.
“Xpresso has won on the heavy before, and The Iron Star was a good second at Goulburn last year at his only run on a heavy track.”
Chevalier says The Iron Star’s latest close second at his home track in a Provincial Class 1 Plate (1800m) on May 14 caught his rider by surprise with his turn of foot.
“The Iron Star went so quickly that he got to the front a bit too quickly,” Chevalier said.
“Even though he is rising five years of age, he is still a bit immature.
“But he is getting better with each run, and I’m looking forward to taking him to Canterbury tomorrow.
“It’s not a big field, and the 1900m looks ideal.”
Xpresso was totally out of luck at his last visit to Canterbury on April 22 when sixth to The Face in an 1100m Benchmark 72 Handicap.
“It was no fault of his rider Anna Roper, but he couldn’t get clear running until the race was as good as over,” Chevalier said.
“Then his next unplaced run in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) at the Gosford Saturday stand-alone metropolitan meeting on May 9 can be totally excused.
“Xpresso drew the outside barrier, and Tyler (Schiller) rode him neutral.
“They really ran along and the winner Smashing Time broke the track record.
“Xpresso did make ground even though he finished 10th, and his last 600m was the second best of the meeting.
“He is going well and certainly deserves a change of luck.”
Chevalier is in no hurry to bring his talented and lightly-raced filly Stand My Ground, who was spelled after contesting the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April 11, back in work.
“She did a terrific job at her first preparation, and we are giving her a really good break,” he said.
“Both Stand My Ground and our good mare Everyone’s A Star are enjoying a rest in the same paddock.”
Chevalier’s four-times city winner Everyone’s A Star is rising seven years of age, but has earned another preparation.
“Everyone’s A Star didn’t run a bad race last preparation, including a Randwick win in January and two other city placings,” he said.
“She is spelling at the right time as she races best on good tracks.
“Everyone’s A Star will definitely come back for another campaign, and whilst ever she continues to race well, we will keep going with her.
“She will let us know as soon as she has had enough, and is ready to be retired to stud.”
