Chujo and McGuren chasing Summer success at Ballina (Friday)

Widely travelled accomplished equestrian rider and now established Ballina trainer Daiki Chujo and leading regional jockey Matthew McGuren offer numbers and value throughout Friday’s TAB meeting.

Tokyo born Daiki, in his third training season with a substantial team, has five starters and Mcguren a near full book on the eight race Ballina programme and they maintain a lengthy association through dual race winner Door Into Summer, top weight and favourite for the Brown and Hurley BM 58 1250m.

"Matty has been an outstanding rider up here for a long time, I try and use him whenever I can and this mare with him on is my best chance on the day along with Emmy Regina in the last," Daiki offers.

"If there is a concern it's the 59.5kg because she's not a big mare. But Matty can offset that from the good gate.

"She was unlucky trapped out from a wide gate last start, she's drawn in, vital on the tight here, and she won well previously."

Door Into Summer led throughout with 55.5kg at Murwillumbah at 1100m and then ran "super" according to Daiki for a close third at Grafton from near last with 57.5kg.

And on Friday has extra race fitness.

Emmy Regina contests the Brown and Hurley Kyogle BM 66, 1400m with 58.5kg for Daiki's compatriot and stable rider Nozi Tomizawa.

"She was showing us enough early winning three races to go to the Gold Coast Guineas, but she drew wide on a heavy eight, so that was the end of that, and we spelled.

"But both her placings this time in have been encouraging, she has the race fitness and drawn in the right grade.

"I'm hoping both mares might run well enough to bring to Sydney for a Highway."

At present Ballina is a good four track in fine weather.


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