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By Ray Hickson

You’re probably on a hiding to nothing when you pick up a gelding with over 60 starts under his belt but trainer Darren Graham feels he has Collay’s Spirit going better than ever as he eyes Friday’s $65,000 Ballina RSL Ballina Cup (1590m).

Trainer Darren Graham and Bean Foggy (Pic: Trackside)

The six-year-old came to Graham in mid-2024 and he’s improved with each of his five runs and earned a start in the Big Dance eligible race by easily winning the Ballina Cup Prelude at Murwillumbah three weeks ago.

Graham, who also has 2023 Northern Rivers Country Championships winner Bean Foggy engaged in the Cup, said Collay’s Spirit couldn’t be going better.

“A good friend of mine owns the major share of him and she said she needed someone to take the horse, she thought he still had a bit of racing in him,’’ Graham said.

“We just ironed out a few niggly problems and he’s been a super little horse since. He wants to be there and he wants to do it.

“That was one of the races we pencilled in for him. I don’t think he’s a Big Dance horse but if he can win this it’s a feather in his cap.”

Collay’s Spirit put the writing on the wall with a fast-finishing second from the back in a 1300m event at Ballina on December 10 before leading all the way last start.

That told Graham he has an adaptable horse on his hands and one that will be even better suited on a softer track than he struck in winning that race.

“I think he’s better just off the speed because he’ll come back under you,’’ he said.

“When he went to the front the other day that’s what happened.

“Luke (Rolls) said he was going to be caught three wide so he just kept going, I was a bit concerned about the hard track because I think he’s better when it’s a bit damper, and he got the chocolates.

“He hasn’t missed a beat. He can adapt to anything it’s just a matter of getting a bit of luck.”

Bean Foggy will appreciate a sharp drop in weight into the Ballina Cup after carrying 61.5kg when fourth in the Christmas Cup at Lismore second-up from a break but his task has been made tougher with the outside barrier.

His last win came at Eagle Farm in April and Graham said he’s more than capable of making his presence felt but wanted a soft draw as he feels he does need an easy passage in the early stages of his races.

“He gets in not too bad with the weight scale. I would have liked another run under his belt but he’ll be there to play for sure,’’ he said.

“He likes to get a lot of things his own way, doesn’t like too much pressure early.

Collay's Spirit wins at Murwillumbah on December 27

“I thought he might have let down a bit quicker at Lismore but he didn’t. I made a gear adjustment and I think you’ll see a better horse.

“I’d like to be just get back off the speed. He likes to get smothered away and have the last crack.”

All the fields, form and replays for Friday's Ballina Cup meeting