May’s day on cards if mare finally gets out of second gear

After four seconds on end, and seven overall, you could forgive trainer Theresa Stair for wondering when honest mare Suva May’s turn will come.

But the five-year-old has been in the Tamworth trainer’s care for only five of her 16 starts and she hopes the stars are aligning for the Equus Members Join Now Plate (1500m) at Muswellbrook on Thursday.

It’s an extra 100m, after four consecutive starts at 1400m, and a favourable barrier that gives Stair some hope it will be sixth time lucky (in her care) but it’s very much a case of fingers crossed.

“She’s very consistent. Whether she wants to be a winner or always a bridesmaid I’m not sure,” she said. “She has needed to go out in distance a little bit but I just wanted to make sure she was really fit before I stepped her out.

“Having a good barrier is nice, it’s the first time in a few starts. I thought she was very unlucky at Tamworth the other day.”

Suva May started favourite in the 1400m maiden at Tamworth on August 12. After settling back from a wide gate, she picked her way through the field behind a tearaway leader only to be stopped in her tracks nearing the 200m.

She knuckled slightly at that point before finishing strongly to get within 1-1/4 lengths of the winner, Rain’s Gift.

“She’s her own worst enemy because she gets so far back,” Stair said. “She jumps with the field but she doesn’t muster that speed once she jumps, then she’s got to come from behind.”

Stair has been involved in the racing industry for as long as she can remember. Her mother Dawn Kelly was a trainer and she’s held her license since 2014.