Trainer Jason Coyle and owner Joe Rapisarda can claim the first two races at Canterbury with Proud Image and Nay To Remember.
Trainer Jason Coyle and racehorse owner Joe Rapisarda have a scrapbook full of memories from past shared glories but it could be a case of the best is yet to come for the pair.
Rapisarda’s orange and green silks are a familiar sight in both Sydney and Queensland, most of his success in our parts is thanks to the Coyle-trained River Bird, You Make Me Smile, Mo’s Crown and St Covet’s Spirit.
On Friday night at Canterbury, Coyle saddles-up two young and stunning types for man known as ‘Joe’ namely Proud Image and Nay To Remember.
Proud Image makes a somewhat belated debut having been scratched moments before her scheduled first start at home on December 21.
“It was a shame the other day at Warwick Farm, she got a little bit anxious before the gates had opened and bumped her head. She went back to the trials and trialled well,” Coyle said.
“She was a little bit on the weak side when she first came into work so I am a little bit surprised she was able to get to the races as a two-year-old but she did so well in between her educational prep and her next prep that she basically forced herself to the races.
“She will be much better in six months but you’re going to competitive on the way she has trialled.”
Nay To Remember, meanwhile, not only shares the same owner and trainer as Proud Image, they were both foaled on the same day, albeit exactly 12 months apart.
A big, strong imposing three-year-old, Nay To Remember will have plenty of admirers among committed trial watchers when he resumes in the ATC Ranvet Handicap (1100m) with Jason Collett in the saddle.
“He has got a lovely stride to him but it’s just when he is under pressure, he is still trying to figure out how things go,” Coyle explained.
“But I thought he was very good in his trial the other day and very good at his first start at his first preparation when he had even less of an idea.
“I think he is a horse that should be able to progress through the grades nicely and that’s without even knowing what to do.”
Coyle is naturally hoping for a bit more luck to go the way of the Canterbury bound Clear Blonde, who should have finished on the podium at Warwick Farm on December 22 when fancied by the camp at cricket score odds.
“If you backed Clear Blonde each-way you maybe could be a bit upset that you’ve missed a 100 to 1 shot,” Coyle lamented.
“I was upset but Jess Taylor was even unhappier. Everything panned out beautifully for the first 1000 metres and then it just went pear-shaped.
“I know she has only won the one race in 17 but she has run some really solid races.”
Ditto some of that for stablemate Dream Maiden who aims to repeat her November 28 Canterbury win in Friday night’s ATC Precise Fire Handicap (1900m)
“She can lob off them and fall asleep and wait for the out.” Coyle said.
Published in The Advertiser - Shayne O’Cass for News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom