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Red-hot mare shooting for Oakbank hat-trick

When it comes to horses for courses there may be no better example than The Trance Factor.

The Ron Daniel and Trish Stanbury-trained mare took 37 starts to break her maiden status at Oakbank on December 22 before making it consecutive wins there last Wednesday.

Daniel said he never gave up hope the former Victorian five-year-old was capable winning in SA after an encouraging local debut in city class at Murray Bridge last July.

“She missed the kick five lengths that day and picked herself up to run third,’’ Daniel said.

“After that we thought we’d have a bit of fun with her.

“She basically came over to try and win a race and then move her on, that was the plan and still is to some degree, but it’s good she’s been able to break through.

“I never gave up hope, it’s about changing a few things and teaching her to settle. She used to race so keenly her race was over in 800m, but we’ve been able to fix that,’’ he said.

Daniel said some gear changes coupled with her affinity with unique Adelaide Hills circuit has been the catalyst for The Trance Factor finding form.

“Oakbank has a lot to do with it,’’ Daniel said.

“Todd (Pannell, jockey) said he’s never ridden a horse who gets around the bend there like she does, she makes up three lengths around the turn,’’ he said.

And the Murray Bridge horseman believes the small field and four-kilogram claim for Stacey Callow will give The Trance Factor a chance of making it three wins in succession on Wednesday.

“After the claim it does look a winnable race,’’ Daniel said.

“It’s not a big field which can help as Oakbank can be a tricky course for a jockey.

“I thought she could win the other day, sometimes the bookies get it wrong, and she only has to run up to last week to go close to winning again,’’ he said.

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