Expect A Sure-footed Showing From Surety

Sun Herald

Sunday October 19, 2008

By TONY WHITE

LOCAL trainer Stephen Lee and major stable supporter Greg Nash were pretty chuffed after heavily backed Surety breezed home with the Bangalow Cup last start at Ballina.

Today at the same track Surety will be out to further recoup expenses when the five-year-old gelding lines up in the $10,000 Lennox Point Hotel-Lennox Head Cup (1400 metres).

Some months back Lee bought Surety from Melbourne trainer Robbie Griffiths specifically with the Bangalow Cup in mind, a race which Nash, who comes from the township, has been instrumental in organising.

"Greg was pretty keen to win the Bangalow Cup and luckily we found the right horse and were able to win it," Lee said. "Greg comes from Bangalow and he's put in a lot of work to get Bangalow Cup day up and running.

"It's always nice when a plan comes together."

Lee said the gelding had continued to progress since his cup win on October 6.

"He's a good doer and has had a couple of good workouts since last start," Lee said.

"I had him in at Brisbane but Greg wanted to run at home.

"It looks a stronger race but I'm happy with Surety. He's been placed over 1400 metres and 1600 metres at Moonee Valley. The trip [1400m] won't be a problem.

"He's a horse we're going to have some fun with."

Lee's star apprentice, Joshua Jones, retains the Surety ride. Surety has natural early speed and looks certain to dominate proceedings again.

Danny Bowen said during the week he preferred a Brisbane start for topweight Instructed over a run in the Lennox Head Cup, in which his charge was allotted 64 kilograms.

Bowen will saddle up Alto Adige (Jasen Watkins) and Cedar Manor (Darron Coleman), the latter dropping back from an unplaced run over 2100m at Eagle Farm on October 11.

"Cedar Manor has mixed his distances but he's not without a chance," Bowen said. "Alto Adige will probably be better suited in a couple of longer races coming up."

Grafton trainer John Shelton was of the same opinion with Innocenttassie (Adam Hyeronimus).

© 2008 Sun Herald

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