Reid Riding the Crest Of A Winning Wave

KNOCKING up winning races is nothing new for highly acclaimed Victorian trainer Terry Reid, in the winners' circle with regularity for the best part of four decades now.

But even by his own lofty standards, the veteran conditioner has been riding the crest of a winning wave recently, scoring victories with his past five runners, and seven of his past eight, the only beaten runner defeated, would you believe, by a nose.

"I've been telling people I'm like a good hot dog – on a roll!" chuckled Reid tongue in cheek.

Reid's most recent winner was talented stayer Kanzan at The Meadows on Saturday night, the daughter of Dyna Double One coming with a powerful finish to claim her heat of the Group 3 The Fireball (725m) in a smart 42.86.

"It was a really good effort to win because the eight box off the 725m start at The Meadows is very hard to win off and she didn't get it all her own way in the run either," explained Reid.

"Drawn wide from those boxes generally leaves you posted with a lot of work ahead going through the first corner. Some of the trials I've given her there aim up with free for all sprint times … she's very fast. When she hits top gear she generally stays there."

Bet365 currently have Kanzan a $6.50 chance for Saturday night's Group 3 Fireball decider from box one, with champion stayer Tornado Tears a firm $1.60 favourite for Rob Britton from box eight.

Dyna Chancer is quoted a $4.00 chance from box two for Correy Grenfell.

"The red in the final gives her a chance but I expect Dyna Chancer to be very hard to beat from box two, I expect he'll lead from there," said Reid.

"And then there's Tornado Tears out in eight. If Kanzan could run a drum I'd be happy but if the race pans out for her she's definitely up to winning it. She deserves a good race.

"I was just saying to someone the other day Kanzan's a bit like a footy team that's always brave in defeat – when she doesn't win she's generally not far away.

"This is the second time she's come down from John (Smart) and she's settled in better the second time around, she's kenneled next to Lagoon Rhett and seems happy enough … but she doesn't make it to the lounge here."

Speaking of Lagoon Rhett, the in-form sprinter is front and centre at Sandown Park this Thursday night for Reid in race eight, chasing five wins on the bounce.

"He seems to really love Sandown," declared Reid of the son of Cosmic Rumble.

"He's got the pink this week but he's had box seven the past two weeks and won when the eight has been scratched. He's running consistent 29.50's and he can handle a wide draw – he should go well again.

"He'll be in the Victorian Nationals' heats in a few weeks. Hopefully I can have a bit more luck in the race than I have in the past. I've had three seconds in state finals' when only the winner has gone through to the grand final.

"That's Fatal ran second to Hotshot, Winsome Dollars, who I had at the time, finished second to Tommy Hand in the NSW final, and Ronray Spirit finished second to Margins in the Victorian Sprint final in 2015.

"That year Fernando Bale finished third in the final but was the seeded runner – he came out and won the final … it was the only time Ronray Spirit beat  Fernando Bale home and he still won the series!"

Reid's incredible week of results kicked off last Saturday week at The Meadows with Kanzan's powerhouse 600 metre success.

On Wednesday at The Meadows, 19 month old My Bro Fabio chaser Keefe scored impressively, before Lagoon Rhett maintained his winning form at Sandown Park a night later.

On Friday at Geelong, Keefe's litter-brother Arlington was successful in slick time before Kanzan rounded out the memorable week with her Fireball heat victory at The Meadows on Saturday.

"I'm always looking forward not back but it's been a good run," said Reid.

"It's a bit like trying to pay the next meat bill with photos of past winners you have on your wall … it doesn't help much!"