Light Week Has Mepunga Isla Set For Group 1 Raid

TRAINER Adam Richardson has left no stone unturned in ensuring Mepunga Isla is at her brilliant best for Saturday's Rookie Rebel at The Meadows.

TRAINER Adam Richardson has left no stone unturned in ensuring Mepunga Isla is at her brilliant best for Saturday night's Group 1 Rookie Rebel (600m) at The Meadows.

Last Thursday Richardson hopped the border to Angle Park with his star bitch in the hope of securing a soft 600 metre victory as a final lead up to Saturday night's $75,000-to-the-winner invitation.

But serving as a reminder that sometimes even the best laid plans go awry, Mepunga Isla finished a well beaten sixth at rock bottom odds, much to the dismay of Richardson.

"It was a long drive home I'll tell you," Richardson said.

"The idea was to head over and give her an easy hit-out and get her confidence up going into the Rookie Rebel. It also gave me nine days between races and as it's turned out that's been a blessing.

"Nothing went right last week. The track was a bog, it was raining and she bombed the start. She pulled up good as gold the next day which surprised me as generally she's a bit flat."

Winner at 23 of her 46 starts, Mepunga Isla, a daughter of Cosmic Rumble and Mepunga Rosie, has drawn box two for Saturday night's middle distance feature.

Before last Thursday's disappointing performance the grand bitch had been in superb form since returning from Queensland mid January as the winner of the Group 2 Golden Sands at Albion Park.

"She was brilliant in Brisbane made even better by the fact she traveled up there on the day," Richardson said.

"Her next run at Sandown from box eight she finished second to Fernando Cazz and you could argue if the boxes were reversed the result might have been different.

"The week before Adelaide she finished second in a 660m at Bendigo and looking back now maybe that run took more out of her than I first thought."

Win, lose or draw in Saturday night's Rookie Rebel Richardson will give Mepunga Isla a well earned spell.

But the Bushfield based conditioner remains confident that his hugely talented chaser will put her best foot forward, consistency the hallmark of her sensational career. 

"I've kept her on the lead this week," Richardson said.

"I had her blood count done on Monday and they were right down so we've been working on that.

"This week there's been plenty of trips to the beach in the salt water and massages to keep her feeling good.

"Her chances will be decided after a few strides I'd say. Last Hurrah grows a leg off the inside so box one is a big plus for him and then you have Fernando Cazz which is going great

"The NSW dogs (Ava Wine and Incapacitated) ran fast times in trials as well on Saturday. It's a very good field and whatever the result it's an honour to be considered in the top eight middle distance dogs in the country.

"But after Saturday she's definitely earned a nice break."
 

 

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