Wagga trainer Trevor Sutherland heads to Wellington on Sunday hoping to win his third Wellington Boot in as many attempts.
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Sutherland will saddle up Battle Of Evermore and Lightning Alert in the $100,000 State Wide Sheds Boot (1100m) and remains optimistic there will be sufficient scratching’s for second emergency Zero Dark Thirty to gain a run.
Sutherland first won the Boot with Sin Sin Sin in 2008 then Power Alert scored in last year’s event for two-year-old’s.
Lightning Alert, by Alert out of Gold Locket, is a full-brother to last year’s winner and Zero Dark Thirty, owned by Sydney-based Brett Bradley, who was also a part-owner of Sin Sin Sin.
It was after last year’s win by Power Alert that Sutherland and breeder-owners, Jim and Alba Power and good friend Kevin Cook, a plan was immediately hatched to look for back to back wins with Lightning Alert who was a yearling at the time.
“The Boot is the race both Lightning Alert and Battle Of Evermore have been set for for some time,” Sutherland said. “After last year Jim (Power) suggested we try and win it again and it’s been the same with Battle Of Evermore.
“They’ve been specifically set for the race. Everything has gone to plan so far.
“They’re there fit and ready.
“The Boot is never an easy race to win and this year with several city horses it’s like a country verses City origin footy match.
“Both my horses have done everything right. I’ve done everything possible to get them ready. I’m really looking forward to it.”
Battle OF Evermore, owned by a syndicate from Perth headed by Gary McMeikan and broken in by Sutherland, comes into the Boot as a last start winner over 900m at Corowa on March 9. Sutherland added several members of the syndicate are flying over for the race.
The gelding will be ridden by 3kg claimer Chynna Marston.
“Chynna did nothing wrong at Corowa and rode him in a jump out recently,” Sutherland said. “The horse seems to run for her. She deserves her chance.”
Lightning Alert is also coming off a last start win over 1050m at Wagga on February 13.
“He was a bit underdone at his first run but at Wagga he jumped quickly from the outside barrier and won well in quick time,” Sutherland added. “He’s had a couple of jump outs since.
“Like Battle Of Evermore he’s the most laid back character. They walk around the enclosure as quiet as a lamb but as soon as the gates open they are the most professional racehorses you’ve ever seen.”
Sutherland wouldn’t separate the pair for Sunday.
“I can honestly say they have been working partners for four months and there’s a half neck between them either way. It may come down to who rides them the best,” he said.
Star apprentice John Kissick, who won aboard Power Alert, partners Lightning Alert.
