3 minute read

Experienced trainer Paul Murray will attempt to do something he's never done before on Tuesday when he attempts to win a race named after himself at Kembla Grange.

Murray, who won't be on track as he makes his annual pilgrimage to Wagga's two-day carnival, will be out to strike early when the lightly-raced Globe Runner chases a breakthrough success in the Paul Murray Maiden Plate (1000m).

The son of Duporth is looking to bounce back after a first-up trip to Wagga where nothing went right.

Globe Runner had been well-fancied in betting last start when an incident in the barriers put a line through his chances of winning.

"Brock (Ryan) said he got the gear off in the barriers," Paul Murray [pictured left] said.

"He was rubbing his head against the barriers and his bridle and cross-over noseband came off.

"He wasn't happy after that and ran all over the place so we've changed the norton bit to a lugging bit with a crossover on which should suit a lot better hopefully."

Globe Runner is still learning his craft and will line up on his home circuit for just his fourth career start in a field of eight runners. The three-year-old has drawn the outside of the small field with Jean Van Overmeire in the saddle.

"He should improve," Murray said. "He has drawn the outside but I think he has enough speed to go forward and get across and hopefully just follow the fence.

"He has never gone on the wet before but the Duporth's generally handle it."

TAB has listed Globe Runner as a $9 chance to break his maiden at the fourth time of asking. Murray's other contender on the card is the promising last start winner Espirito, who will attempt to make it back-to-back victories in the Gwenda Markwell Class 1 Handicap (1200m).

Espirito relished the heavy conditions at Kembla on April 23 to salute by a massive 6-3/4 lengths last start against just three rivals and Murray is hoping he can take advantage of another wet track on Tuesday.

"I usually like to space his runs a bit but he went too well on the wet the other day so I decided to run him again," Murray said. "Stepping up to the 1200m I don't think will worry him, as Winona (Costin) got him in a nice rhythm the other day,

"He is a hard horse to train as he has those Bel Esprit legs but I think he will win his fair share as long as we can keep him sound, touch wood at this stage it's going well."

Espirito is the $4.20 favourite and has drawn in barrier three with Kembla rated a heavy (10) on Monday. Murray plans to give Espirito one or two more runs before heading to the paddock.