In the racing world, you have to be patient as an owner and even more so if you are a trainer.
Grafton mentor Andrew Parramore knows this first hand from his riding days, but now he is seeing things from a trainer’s prospective.
That perfectly sums up what he and the owners of Canexcell have put up with as the galloper makes his way back for his second start this campaign at Grafton Tuesday.
The rescheduled meeting from Casino has been switched to Grafton due to wet weather which has been another adjustment for everyone connected with the meeting.
Parramore hopes there are no more setbacks for Canexcell who lines up with the top weight of 58 kilograms in the Richmond Valley Tree Services Class 2 (1020m).
“It has been one thing after another with this horse this campaign,” Parramore said.
“Finally, we get to go to the races again.
“I almost got sick of having to ring the owners up and telling them what had gone wrong.”
Parramore was referring to two barrier incidents which resulted in Canexcell missing trials which he was hoping to have after his first-up run this campaign.
Canexcell has only raced five times, for a win, three seconds and a third – some close misses could have been wins.
The galloper’s first-up third at Eagle Farm coming off a maiden victory at Lismore in September proved to Parramore he has a galloper of capable of winning more races.
Canexcell runs third at Eagle Farm on February 25
It has been anything but a smooth preparation since.
“He came out of the gates in a trial without the jockey when she was altering her riding leathers and then he dropped the jockey on the way to the barriers another time when he shied,” Parramore said.
“He hasn’t trialled since his first run back so it has been six weeks without a race start.
“I expect him to still race well as I have given him the work, but I would have liked another trial.
“I would like to think he could carry 58 kilograms and win plus I have a very good jockey on in Matt McGuren on which is a big help.”
In his riding days, Parramore rode and also trained Canexcell’s dam, Sandy Selection, and he also prepares another of her progeny in Falandy.
Their owners, the Campbell family, bred both horses and have a long history with Parramore.
“Sandy Selection won several races. I won a few on her as a jockey then trained her for a few wins,” he said.
“Falandy and Canexcell have both won in maiden grade so she is two from two as a broodmare.”
"Canexcell has to carry 58 kilograms in a Class 2, but he has shown enough to suggest he can do that.”
Parramore is just pleased Canexcell is ready to race again, barring any late mishaps he may encounter.
“It has been one mess up after another this campaign. He missed another race at Ipswich when the borders were shut to Queensland and he couldn’t go,” he added.
“Hopefully we can get to the races without something going wrong and he can show us where he is up to.”
All the fields, form and replays for Tuesday's Grafton meeting