Border-hopping Scholefield sets sights on Ouyen

South Australian owner-trainer Greg Scholefield has two special elements when it comes to preparing emerging country cups campaigner Stratofortress.

His wife Gail is on the top of the list and then there’s access to an 1800m grass track at the nearby Naracoorte Racing Club.

“Gail does most of the work with him,” Greg says.

“She does an extremely good job.

“It’s a credit to her.

“He’s a lovely horse to have around.

“He’s so easy to train. He does everything right. He takes everything in his stride.”

The record of Stratofortress since arriving at the Scholefield property from New Zealand early last year underscores this.

The five-year-old has only missed a top three finish three times in 25 starts, with 10 wins, seven seconds and five thirds, and has not finished further back than fifth.

Scholefield raced Stratofortress almost exclusively at Globe Derby Park – almost a four-hour drive – until the start of this year, but of late he has done some border-hopping into Victoria.

He’s ventured to Melton, Mildura and Horsham on the way to a two-state cups campaign, which has produced a second at Boort and last-start victory at Gawler.

With those in the bag, Scholefield now has the $14,500 Greggs Electrical Ouyen Pacing Cup (2423m) in his sights on Sunday, with Stratofortress to be reunited with leading reinswoman Kerryn Manning.

Scholefield’s biggest concern about the assignment is the barrier draw, which is inside the second row.

“It’s an ordinary draw. Hopefully Kerryn can weave some magic and we might be right in the race. We just have to hope,” he said.

Scholefield goes to Ouyen after a strong start to the season with his three-horse team, which has had six wins from 12 starts.

The retired builder has no doubt that the ability to work his horses on grass is a major contributor to the success he has.

“We do most of our fast work on the grass. We’ve been doing it for years,” said Scholefield, who is a former Naracoorte Racing Club committee member.

“It pays dividends to be able to work on an 1800m track.”

Kerryn Manning knows all about winning the Ouyen Pacing Cup.

She saluted on Ideal Success in 2016 and Pay Rise in 2020.

The Ouyen Cup has attracted a capacity field of 11, including an emergency.

Charlton trainer Shane Sanderson has two starters – Equity Stride and Vanquish Stride – as he attempts to win the feature for the second year in-a-row after scoring with Blaster Ranger last season.