By Frances O'Shea
Damien Lane is looking towards the heavens to enhance the chances of one of his four runners at Wyong on Wednesday.
Lane’s four-year-old mare Really Motivated ($11 to $15 on TAB) runs her best races on rain-affected tracks and he is banking on the predicted showers eventuating.
“She’s been crying out for a wet track and I’m hoping we could get it at Wyong,” he said.
Really Motivated (Andrew Adkins) heads to the barriers at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers
“She’s been a bit frustrating to be honest. She was really good first-up at Narromine but only fair second-up at Kembla.
"Out to the mile and with the sting out of the ground we should see her best.”
Really Motivated and stablemate Red Cobra line up in the 1600m Stop Abuse At The Start Midway Class 1 and will be ridden by Reece Jones and Lane’s stable apprentice Anna Roper, respectively.
Lane is also confident of the chances of last start winner Red Cobra ($5), who broke through over the mile at Wyong.
“He’s been very consistent and trained on well since his win. Obviously, he suits Wyong and won’t be worried by a soft track.”
Jason Collett partners three-year-old All Too Zatso ($19) in the 1100m Welcome Kingston Inglis Maiden Plate.
Lane said the All Too Hard filly hadn’t lived up to his early expectations but there had been excuses.
“She really showed us good ability at home but was going too hard and wanting to overdo it in her early races.
"We changed tactics and rode her quieter at Wyong last start, and she came home strongly to finish third. It was a great run and she’s been doing well since.
“She races well over this distance, and we will look to ride her the same way.”
Lane has tweaked the gear on his fourth starter, La Pelago ($34) and believes it should make a difference. Anna Roper is engaged for the Star Turn filly in the 1200m 1800 Respect Super 3yo Super Maiden Plate.
“She went really good at Wellington when she resumed from a spell and finished a close second over the 1200m. Last start at Gosford she got her tongue over the bit, so I’ve applied a tongue tie.
"Hopefully we will see a more improved run. The prizemoney is so good in these races it’s worth having a shot. Depending on how she goes we will look for a race up the bush next start.”
Lane has been enjoying one of his better starts to the season, with 12 winners to date and currently leads the Wyong Trainers' Premiership.
“I don’t worry about statistics too much, but it’s been a good start and would be good to add to that on the home track.”
The first of eight races gets underway at 1.25pm. The track is currently rated a Good 4 but showers are forecast on Tuesday and Wednesday with the rail out 3m the entire circuit.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wyong here