Petticoat off to Wyong races on The Lake day

Brett Dodson would have loved to be setting Petticoat for a Magic Millions target, but the trainer is happy to instead chase black-type style prizemoney at Wyong this weekend.
The Coffs Harbour-based horseman has his talented mare engaged in Saturday’s $160,000 Lawrie McKinna Mayor’s Cup F&M BM78 Handicap (1100m).
A $100,000 Book 2 purchase from the 2023 Gold Coast Sale, the four-year-old daughter of Better Than Ready narrowly missed eligibility for the $500,000 Country Cup at next week’s Magic Millions Carnival.
“She didn’t start enough times in the provincial and country area in the last 12 months, so that put paid to the Country Cup at the Magic Millions and there was another Class 6 Plate up there, but I just thought that was going to be a high-pressure 1200 race,” Dodson said.
“So I spotted Wyong and with the race’s 78 rating – she’s about a 72 now – that gets her in reasonably and then when we take another two (kilos) off with Anna’s claim, that brings her in even better.”
Apprentice Anna Roper will again partner Petticoat, who jumps from barrier seven after the field was reduced to 10 following the scratching of Big Red Tequila and Slinky.
Petticoat is now second elect in betting behind Beside The Ocean and brings form around a key Gold Coast feature contender.
She resumed at Randwick on December 27 with a 2¾-length fifth over 1100 metres behind Ice Kool, after having claimed a 1000-metre Highway at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
Dodson believes the run will bring her on significantly.
Markets are open with major betting platforms for the Lawrie McKinna Mayor’s Cup, giving punters plenty to consider ahead of the Wyong feature.
“There’s nothing wrong with that form and I think the run probably did her the world of good,” Dodson said.
“I was probably just that little bit soft on her having six weeks in between runs, so I think she’ll improve off that and if she does show that little bit of improvement, she’s got to be in finish.”
The post Petticoat off to Wyong first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
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