WAGGA trainer Tim Donnelly hopes a massive weight drop can provide Ashtomina with a winning edge in Saturday’s $25,000 Godolphin Cootamundra Cup (1600m).
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A competitive field of 11 will meet in the postponed Cootamundra feature and Ashtomina will drop nine kilograms from his last outing.
Chelsea McFarlane’s two kilogram claim will see Ashtomina carry 52kg and Donnelly hopes the weight swing can work in his mare’s favour.
“Probably back to the 1600m might be against her a little bit but the drop in weight helps,” Donnelly said.
“The 2000 metres is her pet distance but they should get along and from a good alley, she won’t be far off them.
“To go from carrying 61 to 52 is a big, big drop.”
Ashtomina will be out to provide a popular victory for Cootamundra Turf Club president Brad Shields.
He is among the ownership of the six-year-old.
Donnelly said the Cootamundra Cup was not a target as such, but more a suitable option at the time.
“There is a 2000 metre race at Wagga in two weeks time and there is nothing else around,” he said.
“With Brad being president at Coota, I thought we may as well go over there to run.”
Donnelly rates Bank On Henry and Murdoch’s Joy as the two to beat in an even Cup field.
He also expects Angus Rock and Snippety Gal to run improved races on the day.
