NEW trainer Mark Schmetzer believes his runners will bounce back from “unusual” performances at the most recent race meeting in Muswellbrook.
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Doesn’t Make Sense finished sixth in the Valentines Day race after failing to overcome an anxious warm-up, while seventh-placed Torio Away appeared to be troubled in the HTBA Class 1 event.
Schmetzer, who moved to the area from Canberra, said both horses may have fallen victim to the different conditions.
“Torio Away pulled up a bit distressed, maybe the warmer climate took a toll on him a bit more than anticipated,” he said.
“I’m not really sure what happened with Doesn’t Make Sense, he has ability but seemed agitated before the race and only ran the first 600 metres before pulling up at the top of the straight.”
Despite the results, Schmetzer feels the current level of competition is similar to what he experienced in Canberra.
“I haven’t had that many runners yet so it’s hard to get a guide, but it seems pretty even from what I can make of it so far,” he said.
However, one major difference he has already noticed is the quality of surfaces.
“Canberra is not a racing town, it’s got a synthetic track which is not maintained well enough,” he said.
“We had horses breaking down left, right and centre down there and not enough was being done to fix it so we decided to get out.
“It’s been totally different up here.”
His other runner, four-year-old stable star Run Cannon Run, competed at Warwick Farm racecourse on Wednesday.
Schmetzer has family living in Scone and relocated to the Upper Hunter so his two children can enjoy the country lifestyle.