Coffey out to improve on Summer record

By Craig Brennan (Racing & Sports)

Harry Coffey is making a hit-and-run trip to the Gold Coast to partner Arabian Summer at the inaugural meeting run under lights. 

Arabian Summer runs in the GC100 3YO Plate (1000m) on Friday night as a lead-up to the Magic Millions Sunlight 3YO Plate (1100m), also under lights at the Gold Coast on January 4. 

The Sunlight Plate is a new 'slot' race that carries $3 million in prize money. 

Coffey has ridden Arabian Summer in her six starts to date, for three wins and two minor placings, with her only 'blip' being when fifth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast earlier in the year. 

At her only appearance since, Arabian Summer took out the Magic Millions National 2YO Classic (1050m) at Doomben in May. 

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy-trained three-year-old missed the spring firstly after being scratched from a race in Adelaide after playing up in the gates and then with a foot abscess prior to the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield in August. 

Coffey, who suffered a wrist injury in winter, had rushed his return to the saddle to keep the ride on Arabian Summer at Caulfield and is looking forward to reuniting with the filly on Friday night. 

"She's been good to me, a good filly," Coffey said. 

"We've had a bit of fun and because of her placement, with what the team have done, she's been very rewarding as well. 

"I was down to ride her in the Quezette, and not that I came back quick, but I got really stuck into my physio with my wrist to come back and get back on her. 

"I trialled her before the Quezette and she trialled up like a rocket but then got scratched with a foot problem that just persisted, and it got to the stage where there was more reward to stop, wait, freshen and then prepare her for the Gold Coast." 

Coffey partnered Arabian Summer in a jump-out at Bendigo in early November before the filly made her way to the Gold Coast where she won a trial over 1000m on December 5. 

"She only had a quiet trial when I rode her, and she went well, and then she went on the float, probably two weeks later," Coffey said. 

"She's where she's stayed previously and then Andrew Mallyon trialled her up there recently and she went really well. 

"Hopefully Friday will be worthwhile but long range we're looking to head back there for the 'slot' race and hopefully she can be a part of it." 

Coffey will return to Melbourne to ride at the Pakenham meeting on Saturday where he partners Strawberry Rock in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m), one of four rides at the meeting.