Medowie trainer Darren Reay believes Rollin With Holly can give him a group 1 placing, and extra holiday spending money, on Sunday in the NSW Breeders Challenge finals at Menangle.
Rollin With Holly, a semi-final winner, will start from gate nine of 10 in the $125,000 two-year-old fillies decider. She is one of three Hunter-trained hopes in the finals. Brandy Hill trainer Sam Dimarco’s Black Silhouette will start from nine in the $150,000 three-year-old fillies race and Ellalong trainer Michael Formosa’s Rocknroll Emma has gate seven in the $100,000 four-year-old mares decider.
Rollin With Holly was the most impressive of the trio in qualifiers but she faces a difficult task from the wide draw. Reay was hopeful of a fast-run race to give Rollin With Holly a chance to charge home late.
“She should get in the top three hopefully,” Reay said.
“If we get a bit of luck, we should be there for sure.
“She’s been working good this week, we’re really happy with her and it’s just the barrier draw that we have to worry about now.
“Hopefully we can slot in somewhere. That’s our biggest thing, and then pray for a bit of luck. Miss Halfpenny will probably lead and roll along in front, so I just hope someone holds it out or at least keeps it honest.”
Reay leaves on Monday for a five-week trip to Canada and America taking in the Calgary Stampede.
On Saturday night at Newcastle, Maitland trainer-driver Mitch Chapple will represent the Hunter in heats of the NSW Rising Stars series, which finishes at Menangle on Sunday.
