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Improving Ausbred Cooee suited in Tuncurry-Forster Cup

3 minute read

Multiple Group One-winning trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith believes his improving four-year-old is well suited in the Tuncurry-Forster Cup.

Multiple Group One-winning trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith will take an improved Ausbred Cooee to The Bellevue Hotel Tuncurry-Forster XXXX Gold Cup (2100m) on Friday. The four-year-old charged home late to finish second at Murwillumbah last start and drops 5.5 kilograms from that run.

The Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club host a handful of meetings each year, with Friday's 2100m feature kicking off their racing season.

Mayfield-Smith believes the Tuncurry circuit will suit Ausbred Coee.

"It wasn't really a track that suited him (last start), but it was a showcase meeting and a class race, so it was worth a go," he said.

"He's a long straight horse, there's no doubt about that.

"Last start too, he drew the outside gate and they said to me before the race, 'you can't win from out there'.

"The race was run at a slow speed early, the winner skipped clear and that was the end of the race."

Ausbred Cooee will jump from barrier two with John Grisedale partnering the gelding again, hoping to go one better than their last start three weeks ago.

Mayfield-Smith is confident the son of Fiorente can figure in metropolitan level in time but is allowing the horse to learn the craft before taking the next step.

The Coffs Harbour-based horseman says the four-year-old continues to improve with racing.

"He's not the same horse when he ran third over 2000m at Hawkesbury (last preparation) as he is now," he said.

"He's a much better horse now than he was then.

"He'll be an even better horse next time around. That's why I've just been potting around with him.

"He'll be a nice staying horse next preparation."

With Mayfield-Smith now based in Coffs Harbour, Ausbred Cooee could head in the direction of The Country Classic (2000m) in November, providing the son of Fiorente meets the entry requirements.


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