Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer Brett Dodson is wrestling with how to best approach The Kosciuszko with consistent mare Petticoat and what unfolds at Randwick on Saturday will go a long way to shaping it.

Trainer Brett Dodson (Pic: Bradley Photos).

He’s convinced she has the right attributes to be worthy of a start in the $2 million race on TAB Everest Day but would rather target the race than audition for it.

Petticoat has her fourth run for the campaign in the Kieran Moore Handicap (1000m) and Dodson hopes a win there is enough to make her case.

“When you’ve had four runs in and your race is in October you’ve got to start to look where you’re going to give them that break but still have them in the forefront of people’s minds for selection,’’ he said.

“Hopefully she can make a statement on Saturday. If I feel the need and she pulls up well I might give her a run at 1200m.

“I think she’s pretty much proven she can run the 1200m. It’s country horses and she’s been racing in city grade which is a good advertisement for her.

“We want to try and prepare her for the race, if she misses selection I’m sure there’s another race in town for her to come out and win.

“She’s approaching $400,000 in prizemoney, she’s lightly raced, she handles all conditions and she races on speed. She’s got to be attractive to someone.”

The mare, $4 with TAB on Thursday, has been to the Randwick 1000m three times for two wins and a last start second to exciting sprinter Ice Kool three weeks ago.

Dodson said her effort in that race was outstanding as she pushed Ice Kool so he has every reason to think she can go one better in his absence with a heavy track not a factor in his mind.

“He’s obviously a horse going places and is going to the next level so it was no disgrace to be beaten,’’ he said.

“She fought hard, it took him a while to get her so she kicked for a long way. She doesn’t lay down that’s for sure.

“It looks a good race for her, it’s hard to get a guide on her these days with her work because she gets a bit lazy.

“She’s going the same as what she was leading into the last run and if she can repeat that performance she’s going to be hard to beat.”

Meanwhile, Dodson said his other major Kosciuszko hopeful My Mum’s Toyboy has come through his win under a big weight last Sunday and is set to take his place in the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) next week.

He carried 62kg to victory in the John Carlton Cup to post his seventh win at the Grafton track and gain an exemption from ballot in the feature sprint.

Petticoat runs second at Randwick on June 20

“He’ll drop a fair bit in weight and he won’t know himself and his affinity with the track is going to help him,’’ he said.

* Tickets for The Kosciuszko sweepstakes are on sale NOW and until September 7 via TAB outlets, the TAB app, at race meetings and pubs & clubs for $5 each and is open to NSW and ACT residents.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting