Trainer Billy Healey will be looking for a race to race double at this afternoons Sunshine Coast meeting when he saddles up VERSETTO and NEVER LOSE FAITH in consecutive races on his home track.
Both horses have been victims of the recent spate of wet weather in the Sunshine State and head into todays assignments off extended breaks.
VERSETTO appears to have his hoof on the till following seconds at his two most recent starts, one of which was behind the very smart SOCIALISING , at Ipswich.
That horse has again franked the form by winning impressively in town last Saturday .
VERSETTO just missed at this track and distance three weeks ago when ridden by Robbie Fradd . The gelding settled well in the run on that occasion and only went down by the narrowest of margins behind eventual winner YU LONG SHEN HUI.
James Orman returns to the saddle this afternoon having ridden VERSETTO first up at Ipswich and will be looking to go one better for connections .
VERSETTO is currently rated a $12 chance behind the very smart RUN FOR GLORY who certainly looks to be the measuring stick.
NEVER LOSE FAITH last raced almost a month ago and missed a run when the meeting scheduled for Sunday 26th July was abandoned .
Prior to that , she ran a pleasing 5th at Doomben over the 1650m , beaten a touch over 2 lengths , with jockey Mark Du Plessis telling connections she was now ready for the step up in distance.
NEVER LOSE FAITH will again be partnered by Du Plessis this afternoon and the step up to 1800m looks ideal.
The four year old mare has a strong SAVABEEL influence on her dam side and Healey has always suggested she would relish 2000m and beyond .
From a good draw, NEVER LOSE FAITH will be given plenty of time to find her feet , and hopefully prove too strong over the concluding stages .
The mare is currently a $10 chance with most of the online corporates.
Healey was somewhat conservative when asked about his two chances earlier today.
“I am a bit concerned with the wide gate for VERSETTO , especially with the rail out 7 metres” said Healey .
“The track appears to be a touch on the soft side which might make it hard for a horse like him to make ground”.
“I had a few trial on the track yesterday and it was certainly rain affected “ added Healey.
“The horse is in fantastic order , but he meets a pretty strong field this afternoon , and I am concerned he may struggle to pick them up ‘.
“NEVER LOSE FAITH is a month between runs given she missed a start when they called off the meeting here a few weeks ago” said Healey.
“She is a natural fit filly anyway , so that is probably the only concern I have with her”.
Healey didn’t think the soft track would prove any issue for the mare this afternoon.
“I know she won on the Heavy at Doomben , but I do think she is a filly who is probably more adept on top of the ground . But we know she will get through the going so I give her a good chance and she is probably the pick of the two runners” concluded Healey .
Healey was active at the Magic Millions sales earlier this week , signing for five lots , including a lovely CHOISIR colt for Lang Brothers Racing .
A double this afternoon on his home track will cap off what has been a very successful week to date.
VERSETTO runs in Race 6 URBAN CERTIFIERS CLASS 2 HANDICAP over 1400M set to jump at 4.03pm and NEVER LOSE FAITH runs in Race 7 WATERWORTHS NURSERY CLASS 1 HANDICAP over 1800M run at 4.38pm.
