Issued on: 11 November 2009

LEW VOWS TO BE BACK NEXT YEAR
Karloo Mick will be back to have another shot at New Zealand Cup glory according to Dubbo trainer Barry Lew after his stable star finished sixth in the gruelling two mile event at Addington on Tuesday. Lew has enjoyed the experience but believes he made a mistake in giving the nine year old gelding a light preparation in the lead up to New Zealand's biggest harness race.

"He was two or three runs short, it was as simple as that" Lew said.

"I learned a lot about travelling a horse away from home and while I have taken him away for Inter Dominions in the past, the trip to New Zealand was quite different. If the horse is sound in twelve months time I would love to come back and have another crack at it."

The son of Panorama began safely and worked his way to the lead not long after the start before taking a trail behind fellow Australian runner Smoken Up. Karloo Mick loomed as a winning chance as the field turned for home but failed to run on over the last 100 metres.

"When he came back to his stall he had blown up over his back and especially over his kidneys."

"Greg Bennett (driver) said to me that when he got the run as they turned for home he thought that he was driving the winner of the New Zealand Cup but he just stopped 100 metres from home because he was out on his feet."

If Lew could turn back time and go through the preparation again he thinks that he would only change one or two things in the lead up.

"We had a few problems with him back in Australia and that forced the horse out of a trip to Queensland for the Gold Coast Cup and the Queensland Pacing Championship so in hindsight we were probably always going to be a run or two short."

"He got a good hit-out at Eugowra but then his race at Harold Park didn't stand up so he missed another run. We gave him the one run in New Zealand at Ashburton and a couple of trials, I think that was ideal but I just needed him fitter before we left home."

History would suggest that Karloo Mick is at his best after several tough runs, he has finished second in two Inter Dominion finals after multiple gruelling heats. Lew is not disappointed and will now turn his attention towards the Barastoc Grand Circuit races in Australia.

"Karloo Mick is booked to fly home tomorrow morning (Thursday) and I plan to take him to Newcastle and set up on the beach. He will compete in the Cordina Sprint (Friday 20th November) a week before the Miracle Mile and with the winner guaranteed a start in the big one, hopefully he can earn his way into the race that way."

"If he doesn't make the Mile field then he will compete in the Bohemia Crystal Free For All on Miracle Mile day and then start in the Treuer Memorial at Bankstown."

Lew has also signalled his intention to target the Hunter Cup with Karloo Mick.

"Greg can't believe that I don't do any standing start practice with Karloo Mick, but the horse is just a natural stand horse. Because of that trait I would be mad not to target Australia's toughest event and that's why I want a start in the Hunter Cup next year too."

SPEEDY DESTREOS READY TO FIRE AT NEWCASTLE

Queensland flying machine Destreos is set to ensure this Saturday night's Mitavite Newcastle Mile is run at breakneck speed. The six year old recorded a 1:54.9 win at Albion Park two starts ago when he led and trainer/driver Ken Rattray is confident that his horse is ready to perform at his best.

"Destreos is going really well at the moment" Rattray said.

"He has won his last two starts in very quick time, he is a fast beginner and because he is a go forward horse I can't see much sense in going back on Saturday night. He has drawn 7 in the field which is a little wide, I would have preferred 4 to 6 but I don't see the draw as that much of a disadvantage."

Rattray will take the drive on Saturday night with regular driver Scott Kunde staying in Queensland to drive other stable horses including Funny Boy in the Members Cup at Albion