Hawkesbury preview: Trainer Lee and Cherie Curtis hope luck is ready to turn for Still Alice

Promising mare Still Alice has had to do it tough so far this campaign but things look set to take a turn for the better at Hawkesbury.

Co-trainer Cherie Curtis is hoping for better luck to go the way of Still Alice at Hawkesbury.

Fortune hasn’t favoured Still Alice in either of her runs this campaign but trainers Lee and Cherie Curtis are hoping it is third time lucky and she can kick off the new season on a winning note.

Still Alice was caught three-wide when resuming with a long neck second behind Ballet D’Esprit at Kembla on June 20.

Things got even worse when she was trapped out five-wide throughout at Hawkesbury last start before boxing on gamely in the straight to finish a lengthy and a quarter fifth behind Nightingale.

“The horse that beat her at Kembla is a three-quarter sister in blood to Home Affair and from a half-sister to Russian Revolution who is lightly-raced but has a handy record,” said Cherie Curtis.

A smart ride from Tim Clark leads Ballet D'esprit to win Race 3 at Kembla Grange. @[e-mail]/437UND3eLs

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 20, 2024

“Last start she was quite wide and had to do a lot of work. It didn’t quite work out.

“We were just hoping there wasn’t as much speed on as what eventuated inside of her.

“She tried really hard and fought on very well.”

The first step towards a well-earned win came when the mare drew barrier 4 in the Blakes Marine Class 1 Handicap (1000m).

“We had her in last week but she drew poorly so we scratched her because we didn’t want another repeat of that last run, Curtis said.

“This week, she has drawn a good barrier and she get a nice run up on the speed.

“She has always shown us plenty of ability and is always improving as well.

“She is a full sister to our good mare, Meryl.

“Meryl was early and precocious whereas this filly is a bit later than her and getting better as she gets older but still has heaps of ability which they have in common.

“She is definitely a city class mare.”

Meanwhile, Hall of Fame trainer Les Bridge believes Al Ras Blues is capable of knocking off a Super Maiden and gives her a good chance this week even though the 1600m is short of her ideal trip.

The daughter of Pride Of Dubai performed better than her sixth of seven over 1400m at Newcastle reads on paper after settling last behind a slow tempo.

Jockey @keaganlatham takes Cook Island Girl back to the inside and she lets down powerfully late to win Race 7 at @newcastleraces_ for @MFreedmanRacing 👊 pic.twitter.com/r5G3IjM3JF

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 22, 2024

She then had to jump straight to 1850m when she returned there last start.

“I was getting a bit frustrated in not being able to find a suitable race to step up from the 1400m so I just took a punt on sending her over the 1850m,” said Bridge.

“The last furlong just found her out but she will be fitter next time she gets out over that trip I’ll tell you that.

“There is a race on at Newcastle on August 8 over 1850m but I needed to give her a run in between.

“She is going alright. She will win one of those races and is a chance this week. She just might want a bit further than the mile.”

Bridge will also saddle up two debutants - Floral Legend and Spacetime Legend.

Floral Legend kicks off her career in the 3YO Maiden Plate (1000m).

“She will run well. Her trial was good the other day,” Bridge said.

“I like her. She is a nice filly who has just taken a little bit of time.

“She will get better as she goes along but will be competitive here first-up.”

Spacetime Legend, a son of Dundeel, debuts in the Midway Maiden Handicap (1300m).

“I think he is a horse who will want at least a mile or a mile and a quarter,” he said.

“This race will be too short for him but he has to start somewhere.

“He’ll be a nice horse in time.”

NORTHERN EYES LOOKING GOOD FOR BREAK THROUGH SUCCESS

Northern Eyes may have finished nearly five lengths from the winner when resuming for new trainer Kim Waugh, but the stable saw merit in the performance and feel he has taken the necessary improvement to be a leading chance second-up.

The son of Zoustar finished fourth behind debutant He’s In Like Flynn who did win by just over four lengths while Northern Eyes was three-quarters of a length off the runner-up at Wyong on July 20.

“He’s not a 1000 metre horse so that was basically a barrier trial for him because we have had enormous problems getting trials in our area. They have either been washed out or not programmed,” said part-owner, Mark Waugh.

“He was fit enough to run a good race and we were happy with him.

“He got into an awkward spot around the corner and lost his way a bit around the tight bend.

“It was a good effort under the circumstances.”

The son of Zoustar was a $1.25 million yearling and started his career with Chris Waller where he placed in three of his six starts in metropolitan company.

Northern Eyes was purchased by Kim Waugh and The Racing League for $155,000 off Inglis Digital in March and can take a big step towards recouping their outlay when he steps out on the Midway Maiden Handicap (1300m).

“He is going to be much fitter for this race,” Waugh said.

“We think he is going to be a miler so from a nice barrier over 1300 metres, he should be able to find a spot with less pressure.

“We expect him to run a very competitive race.”

Bend The Knee ran a solid race when a half-length second behind Bluff ‘N’ Bluster at Wyong and heads into the Benchmark 64 Handicap (1300m) as an each-way chance.

“He has run some really good races for us including a couple of good placings in town,” said Waugh.

“We have had a few problems with him; that’s been the main issue, trying to get him physically 100 per cent.

“He’s really good at the moment and if everything holds up, I’m sure he will be very competitive.

“He looked home the other day and the winner came off his back and just got him the last 50m.

“It was a good run and if can replicate that or go a touch better, he should be right in the finish.”

Originally published as Hawkesbury preview: Trainer Lee and Cherie Curtis hope luck is ready to turn for Still Alice