Trainer’s quandary with promising mare

TRAINER Clayton Harmey is in a quandary with promising mare Kayla Maguire.

Earmarking the Inner City Pace as an ideal target for the daughter of Bettors Delight, Harmey has to give Kayla Maguire at least one more start for her to be eligible for the feature.

As a New Zealand purchase, Kayla Maguire must have four local outings to qualify for the Maitland-based event, which begins with heats on December 28.

So far Kayla Maguire has had three starts – all for impressive wins.

That’s were Harmey’s problem comes into play.

“I have to give her one more start, but if she wins, she won’t be eligible for the Inner City Pace,” Harmey said.

“There is another option just after that, but it is the first target I set for her.”

Although Kayla Maguire’s victories have been in Newcastle, Harmey has elected to “head to town”, with the five-year-old engaged in Saturday night’s Club Menangle meeting.

With concession driver Blake Hughes to take the reins, Kayla Maguire has drawn awkwardly in barrier five over 1609 metres.

“This is a step up for her and will be a pretty good test,” Harmey said. “So far she has exceeded expectations and we haven’t even gotten to the bottom of her yet.

“She has won by leading, sitting in the breeze and coming from behind, so she is proving versatile.

“Hopefully she can be that way as she steps up in grade.

“Saturday night is a $20,000 race, so if she can win that and it changes out plans slightly, no big deal.”