Despite admitting her runners “will need more than a touch of luck”, astute horsewoman Rebecca East hasn’t given up hope ahead of Friday night’s Terang Pacing Cup.
East has Eastbro Chrissy and Operative Line in the time-honoured feature, with both among the outsiders in betting markets.
In fact, Eastbro Chrissy is at $51 with TAB Fixed Odds despite being a last start Cup winner. Crossing the border last weekend, Eastbro Chrissy captured the Mount Gambier Country Cup.
Operative Line is listed at $34, while Miki To Success is a $1.35 favourite from the outside of the second row for premier trainer Emma Stewart.
“It is a big jump in class for Chrissy, but she is in it to give it a go,” East said. “She’s going really well and I was very happy with her run in Mount Gambier.
“She does like a soft lead before a dash at the end and doesn’t like to let them pass her, but I can’t see her getting that kind of run this week.”
Eastbro Chrissy will be driven by Michael Bellman from barrier two, with James Herbertson to partner Operative Line from gate six.
Also competing in Mount Gambier, Operative Line was retired from the Cup after a hopple strap snapped.
“He was lucky to stay on his feet,” East said. “When the hopple broke, the front bit dropped and he got his leg caught as went to take a stride.
“Michael (Bellman) was alert enough to hold his head up and that’s what stopped him from tumbling.
“They will need more than a touch of luck, but it is racing and anything can happen, so we’ll just hope for the best.”
