The ATC has honoured great veterinarian Percy Sykes by naming a race in his honour at Randwick on Saturday - and trainer Jason Coyle would love to cause a surprise with entrant Smart Moochi. ''I didn't really have that much to do with Percy,'' Coyle said. ''He was there at the beginning of my time at Gai [Waterhouse's] but I think anyone would want to win a race named in his honour. Smart Moochi is looking for the 1600 metres and has not had that much luck at his past two runs when he has got back. I think he can settle a little closer and will be running on.'' Coyle has opted for blinkers on Sweet Serendipity earlier in the day. "We just want to get her focused and the blinkers might help with that,'' he said.
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Trio of chances
Tim Martin has had a frustrating run with Skip Town, Hunter Jack and Red Dynamite, and hopes it is "his turn'' with at least one of them at Randwick on Saturday. "They could have all won their last starts,'' Martin said. "Red Dynamite [to run in the sixth] was jumping all over them at Canterbury before getting a run late, Hunter Jack [fifth race] got too far back last time and Skip Town [third] has run three seconds this time in. Law of averages says it has to be my turn soon.'' Hunter Jack steps up to 2000 metres for the first time. "It is a test for him but I think he will be closer and has a good turn of foot. He is the sort of horse I have always wanted to get out over a trip and this is his chance.''
Patience pays
Anthony Cummings and Gooree are being rewarded for their patience with four-year-old New Divide. "We always thought he had talent, it just took a bit of time for him to be able to show it,'' Cummings said. "He has had his share of aches and pains but Gooree have a great facility to give him the time he needed.'' A son of Haradasun, New Divide ran last in a trial on September 12, 2012, and it took until June 19 last year for his first race start, a second to Murder Of Crows. Given more time, he has come back to win a Gosford maiden and a city midweeker and is out for a hat-trick in the sixth at Randwick on Saturday. "This is the next step for him and we think there is a lot more in store for him,'' Cummings said.
