Trainer Clinton McDonald is ruing the relatively dry conditions at Caulfield for Second Effort who shoots for five straight wins in Saturday's Bletchingly Stakes.Second Effort is unbeaten in six starts on slow or heavy tracks but the Caulfield track was on Thursday rated dead (5), a surface the Mossman gelding has raced on three times for two seconds."He's in good form. I'm happy with the horse. He had a little hiccup (when a late withdrawal from the Sir John Monash Stakes) but it didn't dent an
Trainer Clinton McDonald is ruing the relatively dry conditions at Caulfield for Second Effort who shoots for five straight wins in Saturday's Bletchingly Stakes.
Second Effort is unbeaten in six starts on slow or heavy tracks but the Caulfield track was on Thursday rated dead (5), a surface the Mossman gelding has raced on three times for two seconds.
"He's in good form. I'm happy with the horse. He had a little hiccup (when a late withdrawal from the Sir John Monash Stakes) but it didn't dent any of his fitness having to scratch him," McDonald said.
"But our biggest problem is we're in the middle of winter and we're racing on good tracks which is quite amazing really.
"He's run two seconds on dead tracks so it's not like he's hopeless, but when he runs on a heavy track it's just like he's running on a good track. He's just so effective on heavy or slow ground.
"In saying that it's going to be a good test for him and an up-and-comer such as Mid Summer Music.
"It's not a true weight-for-age race though is it?
"They are probably 10 good gallopers who get their chance in a nice race.
"I'm happy with his work. He's fit and healthy and ready to go and I think he'll run very well."
McDonald won the Bletchingly in 2005 with his stable star Regal Roller, a three-time Group One winner on his home track who has a race named after him on PB Lawrence Stakes day at Caulfield on August 13.
Last-start Caulfield 1100m mares winner Lady Mahler will also represent the stable in the Group Three Bletchingly (1200m).
"I've been put in a bit of a tough spot with her. She's such a gross mare and she's got a few issues. I'd rather race her than gallop her on the training track," McDonald said.
"If I don't run her on Saturday it'll be a month between runs which is too long for her.
"She'll run in the Bletchingly and then go to the Cockram Stakes.
"We've got nothing to lose in running her Saturday. If she runs a place it will add to her value as a broodmare and she'll also gain fitness for the Cockram."
The Group Three Cockram Stakes (1200m) is run at Caulfield on August 13.
McDonald said Second Effort and Regal Roller's half-brother State Grade were likely runners in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes on that program.
Second Effort, to again be ridden by Danny Nikolic, has eased from his opening quote of $4.80 to $6.50 with TAB Sportsbet while punters have rallied for the Peter Moody-trainer favourite Mid Summer Music who has firmed from $3.60 to $3.
Monash Stakes winner Secret Flyer is steady at $6 with Rue Maple at $7.50 and Gold Trail and Uxorious at $9.