Keith Dryden is hoping to maintain his TAB Highway strike rate in Saturday’s Rosehill Gardens episode with proven series mare Stratum Pride despite coming up with a tricky barrier.
The celebrated ACT veteran is contemplating his future due to outside issues but has been prolific since the inception of Highways, recently training a double with Trooper Knuckle and Eastern Glow.
Keith Dryden remains positive with Stratum Pride despite a precarious barrier 17 as the three-race winning mare carries 56kg for Nash Rawiller in a $120,000 Class 3, 1400m.
"Maybe I used all my luck when Eastern Glow won from out wide, we will need a Nash special but this mare has the ability and was unlucky in probably a harder Highway last prep," Dryden assessed.
In June Stratum Pride came from last when three lengths third to Zadig at Royal Randwick over 1500m.
"She drew wide then and really found the line so in our favour is she'll be strong at 1400m with any luck at all,'' he said.
"She's coming off super wins at 1600m and any give in the ground will help her.
"Look, this mare hasn't got the upside of Eastern Glow who is Country Championships material but she's tough and genuine.
"And in the right race with a rider that can make things happen."
Stratum Pride was highly impressive winning by five lengths at Sapphire from rearward in July and at Albury previously in heavy going.
In early TAB betting she is a $15 chance with Cameron Crockett's dual Randwick Highway winner Super Extreme a $5 favourite with the 2kg claim off 60kg for crack apprentice Dylan Gibbons.
Meanwhile, spiralling insurance costs as well as ACT stables being first to be balloted out of Highways has Dryden contemplating his future.
The situation has resulted in prominent trainers Matt Dale moving to Goulburn, Luke Pepper to Scone and Nick Olive to Queanbeyan.
"I've just paid around 120 grand in worker's insurance; I've won over 30 races this season and my accountant tells me I'll run at a massive loss,'' Dryden said.
"You can't keep going at that rate, I'm too old to move and I own 30 boxes here. Unless things turn around I think we all know the alternative."
