Dry surface to benefit chances of Murless

RICHIE Stephenson is hoping dryer ground can help the chances of Murless at Clifford Park tomorrow night.

Toowoomba trainer Richie Stephenson. Photo: Kevin Farmer

RACING: A drying Clifford Park track is key to the hopes of Murless tomorrow night, according to trainer Richie Stephenson.

The ex-Melbourne galloper has relished the change of scenery since moving north, with two wins and three placings from eight starts under the watchful eye of Stephenson.

After running down Maddiara two starts back, Murless was unable to handle a heavy surface in town at his last outing.

“He was very disappointing the other day. He can’t handle the wet tracks,” Stephenson said.

“He couldn’t get going in the back.

“On a dry track he’s a different horse. He’s a good galloper and he’ll turn into a mile and a quarter horse.”

After two runs this preparation over 1300m, Murless steps up to the mile in the Living Turf Benchmark 75 Handicap (1640m), something Stephenson believes he will relish.

“He likes the track and is crying out for the mile,” he said.

“I would expect him to go pretty well.”

Murless has enjoyed a healthy record at his new home, with win and a third from three runs at Clifford Park.

An eight-race card is set down for Toowoomba tomorrow evening, with the last event, the Vanderfield Benchmark 58 Handicap (2175m) among the most intriguing.

Tony Gollan brings Youngblood over the range in the hopes of giving the three-year-old his second career win.

Luvyouanytime (Dale Groves) returns to the scene of a 10 ½ length win two starts back, while It’s Thyme and Red Poet are both last start winners at Clifford Park.

Full form for the meeting, along with all Saturday metropolitan races, appears in today’s The Chronicle.

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