Trainer Kristen Buchanan has found a happy medium with Edge Of Reward as he chases more success at Gosford

Trainer Kristen Buchanan has found the right balance of work for Edge Of Reward and the gelding is set to continue his terrific form with another win at Gosford.

Edge Of Reward can continue his good form with another win at Gosford on Thursday. Picture: Bradley Photos

The benefits of the E-Trakka equine fitness system used by trainer Kristen Buchanan have certainly come to the fore with Edge Of Reward racing in terrific form since joining her Wyong stable.

The five-year-old has raced very well in each of his four starts for Buchanan including a win and a game third at Newcastle at his last two starts.

On those performances, Edge Of Reward will play a major role in the finish of the Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) at Gosford.

“According to the information we get from the E-Trakka, he is a very aerobic horse so we have gone with keeping him on the fresh side even though he is going up in trip a little bit is working well for him,” Buchanan said.

The dynamic duo!

General Soho gives @Aaronbullock90 & @perry_racing1 a winning double at Newcastle! pic.twitter.com/zNgAdZ82XC

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 24, 2024

“He just naturally maintains a high level of fitness without being overworked and while he has a few little aches and pains, being able to keep him a little bit fresh yet up to the mark is just a happy medium.”

The gelding was forced to take the field up to the leader and was just caught late by General Soho and Jessandi.

Buchanan feels the Gosford track will suit him perfectly as will the wet conditions.

“I like Gosford for him because he races on speed,” she said.

“If he gets to the front a little bit too early on those longer straights like at Newcastle the other day, he’s a bit vulnerable.

“He loves the sting out of the ground. That’s the key to him.

“He doesn’t need it heavy, but somewhere in the soft range is ideal and I wouldn’t be surprised if the track gets back to a Soft 6 or 7 which would be perfect for him.”

The track condition will also determine if Justice Warrior steps out in the 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m) for colts and geldings.

Buchanan won’t risk the exciting youngster if the track is heavy but he will line up if it’s soft.

The son of boom sire Justify and dual Group 1 winner Srikandi had shown good ability in his trials and followed it up with a nice third behind Toque on debut at Canterbury two weeks ago.

“It was a pearler of a run on debut,” said Buchanan.

An all-the-way win for Toque at Canterbury!@[e-mail]/bcT5Awtemy

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 1, 2024

“He missed he kick a little bit and I’m not saying he would have beaten the winner, but if he jumped on terms, it doesn’t get as soft a run in front.

“Also, he got a bit off balance when Zac (Lloyd) hooked him out to come off the rail and I think those two things definitely cost him second place.”

The colt will take plenty of improvement from the experience but does have barrier 13 to contend with this week.

“I just wish he had drawn better but we have the favourite on our inside that will roll forward so we will try and track it across,” she said.

Buchanan’s third runner for the day is two-year-old filly Smashing Rosie in the 2YO Maiden Plate (1100m) for fillies.

She was a game third to Zampano on debut in the Romantic Dream at Tamworth on April 26 after racing three-wide throughout.

“She was great at Tamworth. She tried hard but wanted to run off a little bit on the corner,” Buchanan said.

“I think being outside horses three-wide all-the-way contributed to that but she boxed on really well.

“That’s my only concern with Gosford being tight turning track.

“I’m really happy with her and I think she will be really competitive as long as she gets around the turn okay.”

WHEELER HAS SOLVED THE RIDDLER’S TRICKS AS HE CHASES FIRST WIN

Coffs Harbour trainer Daniel Wheeler has found the key to The Riddler and feels the gelding is ready to break through for his maiden.

The four-year-old has been a work in progress for Wheeler since arriving at his stables but a change of gear last month has seen him seen him start to put his best foot forward.

Although his form has been consistent, The Riddler had been keen in the run since the gear change, he finished third at Grafton over 1410m behind I Saw The Light before a third to Kaiwi over 1710m at the same track.

He returns to Grafton tackle the Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1720m).

“This is his first preparation for me and has taken time to work him out,” said Wheeler.

“He threw a race away in Victoria by over racing and running off the track.

💥 Another NEW WINNER for #LeanMeanMachine!

🐎💨 Kaiwi looked extremely comfortable getting off the mark in style at Grafton!

8 Winners in April for #LeanMeanMachine 🔥 #JoinTheRiseOfTheMachines#AquisStallionspic.twitter.com/PGktExMrAG

— Aquis Stallions (@AquisFarm) April 30, 2024

“He has got a few tricks but since we have had the ear muffs, nose roll and tongue tie on him, he is a lot more relaxed.

“His riders in his last two races, my son Bailey, and Andrew Mallyon both said you could ride him on a piece of cotton.”

The wet track isn’t a concern for Wheeler as the gelding has placed in four of his seven starts on soft ground and was forth to Magnaspin in his only go on the heavy at just his second start.

“A few of his rivals are stepping up from 1400 metres where he is probably looking for 1800 metres or further. On a heavy track, that will make a difference,” he said.

“I just hope they run along a bit as he’s a horse who needs momentum.”

Stablemate Bad Boy Darby is having no luck with barriers after drawing the outside gate at his last two starts and has come up with the widest gate again in the Benchmark 58 (1015m).

“He’s run a couple of placings but he keeps drawing outside barriers,” he said.

“First-up at Taree, he ran an enormous for third in a really strong field behind October Revolution then he has drawn the outside gate at Grafton and rocketed home from last to run fifth.

“He draw the outside gate at Inverell and had no luck at all again after missing the start and being poleaxed at the 600m.

“He loves the wet which will help, it’s just the barrier that’s a concern.”

Originally published as Trainer Kristen Buchanan has found a happy medium with Edge Of Reward as he chases more success at Gosford