GOULBURN: Extra Day May Be Worth The Wait
Story By Tony White
Monday, 6 September 2010: Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland has shown his hand by scratching Mrs Menzies rom Konday's transferred meeting at Canberra to wait an extra day for the Goulburn race.
The four-year-old, a Shelly Walsh mount, lines up in the Terminus Hotel Marulan Benchmark 50 Hcp (1300m).
In recent starts Sutherland has attempted to lengthen the race fit mare's distance capabilities but getting her to settle over 1600 metres has proven problematical.
“Last start (at Goulburn on August 23) it looked like she was going to box seat but she got a bump, grabbed the steel and took off,” he said.
“She'll eventually get 1600 metres run at the right tempo but at this stage she races a bit strong and better suited to 1200 to 1400 metres.
“She's a tough mare, never leaves an oat after racing and she's come on great since last start.
“She's feels good, looks magnificent and I'm very happy with her.
“She's been very consistent without winning many. Hopefully that can change tomorrow. She'll be hard to beat.”
Mrs Menzies finished third last start, beaten a half neck and length to You Can Call Me Al and Dr Remlap over 1600m at Goulburn on a slow track, two days after finishing runner-up to Distinctly Sports over 1400m at Narrandera, her fourth consecutive placing this campaign.
The daughter of Commands-Mi Senorita, has just one win in 16 starts but Sutherland maintains “she's been very unlucky not to win more.”
An $8000 Dubbo yearling purchase, Mrs Menzies was named after Sutherland stable hand's mother, Karen Menzies.
“It (the name) was a bit of a joke,” Sutherland recalled. “The mare picked up a stable name of Mrs Menzies after Stephanie's mother and as a joke I put the name in and it was accepted.
“Stephanie's mum and dad (Steve) are part-owners.
“Early on she was still a handful but she's come back a much better mare this preparation.
“There are still better things ahead of her.”
The Goulburn meeting features a host of runners prepared by leading Sydney trainers including Gai Waterhouse, Tim Martin, Guy Walter, Kevin Moses and John O'Shea.
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