Conditions key to Coyle’s Civic chances

Trainer Jason Coyle is hoping for an improved track rating for his Rosehill runners.

Jason Coyle is banking on the drying powers of the Rosehill track, hopeful it can improve into the slow range for his two Civic Stakes runners.

The trainer is keen to run Insensata and Salsonic in Saturday’s Listed 1350-metre feature but will monitor the track conditions before committing them to starts.

Rosehill was in the heavy range on Friday.

“I’ll have a serious look at what that track comes up on Saturday. I definitely wouldn’t want any more rain for either,” Coyle said.

The pair are at double-figure odds and return to Sydney following winter carnival bids in Brisbane that yielded mixed results.

Insensata landed an Eagle Farm victory in April and was not disgraced when a last-start seventh to subsequent Group One Tattersall’s Tiara winner Invincibella in the Dane Ripper Stakes.

A backmarker, the mare will need a genuine tempo and luck in running if she is to add valuable black-type to her pedigree.

“She probably deserves it given she’s run fourth a couple of times in stakes races and hasn’t been far away at the top level,” Coyle said.

Salsonic has been a source of frustration for the stable after starting his latest campaign on a promising note when third to subsequent Doncaster Mile placegetter Dreamforce in the Liverpool City Cup.

But his form since has been hit and miss with a couple of average performances interspersed with a solid fourth at Group Three level in Brisbane.

“His fresh run this preparation was outstanding. He placed behind Dreamforce and we really expected a strong preparation from him,” Coyle said.

“Two starts back his run was terrific up in Queensland from an inside gate when he had a few favours and then he had no favours last start. He was caught four and five deep with no cover and by the time he balanced up he’d put up the white flag.”

The Civic Stakes duo will be among five Rosehill runners for Coyle, whose team also includes promising filly River Bird in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m) and the consistent Nicochet in the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1500m).

River Bird made it two wins from three runs this campaign with a gritty last-start victory over England and Ljungberg and Coyle is confident she can continue to progress.

“The form should stand up. I think the placegetters are pretty handy and she’s already proved she’s a handy filly, so she probably doesn’t need to improve much to be competitive again,” he said.

Nicochet has bumped into the talented Kapajack at his past two starts and Coyle is hoping Saturday is his chance to shine.

“He’s run into a really smart horse his last two and he’s gapped the rest of the field,” Coyle said.

“I’m sure his time will come, hopefully on Saturday.”