Price Hoping For A Whiff Of Luck With Nitrogen Narcosis

Illawarra Mercury

Saturday July 3, 2004

By CHRIS ROOTS

NOWRA trainer Robert Price is hoping for a change of luck with Nitrogen Narcosis and Machado in the Windang Class 2 Handicap (1200m) at Kembla Grange today.

Both horses are on seven-day back-ups after having their chances cruelled in the opening 200m of the Class 1 Handicap, won by Kabuki Doll, at Kembla last Saturday.

In the traffic jam which occurred shortly after the start, Nitrogen Narcosis was forced to race wide while Machado found trouble and was relegated back to last.

"It was one of those things, Scott (Pollard on Nitrogen Narcosis) had to stay out there to take some pressure off the boys on the inside while Machado copped the backwash and ended up three lengths last," Price explained.

"Nitrogen Narcosis is probably the better chance of the two (today).

"It was just even run last week, but he pulled up enormous."

Nitrogen Narcosis will only be having his third visit to the racing this afternoon after starting his career with a maiden win at Nowra.

The Bureaucracy three-year-old only plugged home after racing three-wide last week, but from gate three today he should be able to take up a handy position.

Early markets have Nitrogen Narcosis at $3.80, second favourite behind Mr Tac ($2.80) in betting, while his stablemate Machado is the rank outsider at $26.

Price said Machado had shown promise as a younger horse, but the four-year-old's racing pattern had worked against him.

"He really wants to get back and run on and needs a solid pace in his races," Price said.

It is a busy time for Price with 20 horses in work as he educates his rising two-year-olds as well as starting three runners at Kembla today and four more at Moruya on Monday.

Price's other runner this afternoon is two-year-old Private Jet, who he feels is looking for more ground.

At his debut, the Made of Gold colt beat only one home at Canberra and Price believes today will help in the further education of Private Jet.

"He led and raced scared at his only run," Price said.

"We'll try and get him back in the field (today) and get him in amongst other horses.

"I think he might be a bit of a staying type."

© 2004 Illawarra Mercury

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