TAREE trainer Nick Chambers thought his eight-year-old gelding Island Dane would be retired several months ago but work by a chiropractor on the galloper has given him hope of another campaign, starting with top-weight in the Saxby's CG & E Benchmark 55 Handicap over 1257m at Monday's Taree-Wingham races.
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The winner of 12 races, including the Taree Cup over 2000m in 2011, a Wingham Cup and Krambach Cups in 2010 and 2012, and prizemoney around $150,000 from 70 starts, has been sparked up by about half a dozen visits by the chiropractor.
"Island Dane is not up to Taree Cup class now but may find the Krambach Cup in October more suitable provided everything goes to plan," Chambers said.
"He is first-up and should derive improvement but can handle the class of this race.
"Firm ground is not ideal but he can handle it."
Broadmeadow jockey Alison Threadwell, the regular rider of Island Dane, will again be on the gelding and on its sister Hills Of Heather, stepping up from 1000m to 1257m for the first time in the XXXX Gold F & M Benchmark 55 Handicap.
"It is an experiment over the distance but like Island Dane, I think she will get it," Chambers said.