Family Matters got lost on debut but trainer Clarry Conners is confident she will find her way home strongly at Canterbury on Wednesday.The filly runs in the Madura Earl Grey Tea Handicap (1100m) after running seventh to Fear No Other in the Inglis Classic (1200m) at Randwick on Australia Day.The Untouchable youngster was slowly away on debut and never settled in the run after being bumped early and posted wide.She found herself in eighth spot near the halfway point and got back as far as 12th a
Family Matters got lost on debut but trainer Clarry Conners is confident she will find her way home strongly at Canterbury on Wednesday.
The filly runs in the Madura Earl Grey Tea Handicap (1100m) after running seventh to Fear No Other in the Inglis Classic (1200m) at Randwick on Australia Day.
The Untouchable youngster was slowly away on debut and never settled in the run after being bumped early and posted wide.
She found herself in eighth spot near the halfway point and got back as far as 12th at the 400 metres before showing a bit of speed late.
"I was surprised to see her miss the kick because she showed good early speed in both of her trials, she led them up both times," Conners said.
"But on race day she got back and got totally lost, and getting bumped a couple of times didn't help either.
"I've thrown blinkers on her and I think that will do the trick because she was very strong to the line when she did finally get a clear path."
Family Matters is at $7 in pre-post markets with the Gai Waterhouse-trained debutante Missonet the $4.20 favourite.
Trainer Chris Waller has two Ingham-owned acceptors for the race - Big Birdie ($4.60), who was second to boom filly More Joyous on debut, and the impeccably-bred Little Surfer Girl ($5) who is by Encosta De Lago from multiple Group One winner Special Harmony.
But Conners holds no fears that Family Matters will hold her own.
"I wasn't planning to run her as quick as this but I don't think the race is that hard," Conners said.
Glyn Schofield has the ride on Family Matters who jumps from barrier seven in the 12-horse field.
"She doesn't necessarily have to lead but if she is close to the speed then we'll see her run a big race and I'm sure Glyn will do a good job," Conners said.
Stablemate Sirwinni runs in the Madura Green and Jasmine Tea Handicap (1550m) and Conners believes the gelding can make amends for his last-start seventh at Warwick Farm on January 21 over 1600 metres.
"He drew the widest barrier (11) the other day and never got in at any stage, he was four and five wide throughout the run," Conners said.
"And he was second at the turn and for him to be at his best he needs to be further back at the turn than that."
Sirwinni won at Wyong two starts back over 1350 metres.
"He was seventh at the turn in that run as he was three starts before when he won at Gosford and if Chris (Munce) holds him back in a similar spot at Canterbury he will win," Conners said.