Pat Bermingham Jnr is confident Miss Corningstone will be a dominant force when she resumes to tackle the Patron & Past Patron Maiden (1000m) on Friday
The Goldfields trainer has opted for an Esperance maiden to launch her campaign and says he is looking forward to the return of a mare that he rates highly.
Bermingham Jnr unveiled Miss Corningstone at Kalgoorlie last season and the four-year-old showed promise when placed at her first three starts.
The Beautiful Crown daughter was beaten by short margins: a head on debut, a neck second-up and by 1 ¾ lengths at her previous run in July last year.
Bermingham Jnr said although initially disappointed Miss Corningstone couldn’t breakthrough he thought on reflection she had performed above expectations.
“She raced throughout her preparation with third carpal disorder which is essentially shin soreness and is prevalent in standardbreds,” said Bermingham Jnr.
“I could never have her quite right and when you consider the duress she was under during her campaign it makes you think what a tough effort it was.
“David Murphy from Murdoch Veterinary Hospital diagnosed the problem and he was quite surprised she could race let alone run placings.
“I have a really good opinion of her and think she will be more than competitive and is above Kalgoorlie and Esperance grade.”
Miss Corningstone is raced by Bermingham Jnr, harness racing identities Greg and Skye Bond and former AFL footballers Michael Brennan, his son, Jacob and Rob Wiley.
She meets a field of ten on her return and will be in the hands of inform jockey, Natasha Faithfull from barrier seven.
Bermingham Jnr said launching Miss Cornerstone’s comeback at Esperance was her best chance of breaking through.
“I considered a start at Bunbury or Pinjarra but she is a bit of an unknown when it comes to travelling,” said Bermingham Jnr.
“She can be a bit of a nightmare at home and I’m not sure how she will go in the float.
“She has done all her racing in Kalgoorlie so this will be a good test to see whether she can handle the trip.
“I think it’s a better option driving four hours from Kalgoorlie than seven hours to Pinjarra or elsewhere.”
Bermingham Jnr says Real Glow is likely to find the Professionals Esperance Handicap (1100m) too sharp but thinks Grey Jabiru can run a sneaky race.
The Courvoisier gelding, who takes on the Circle Valley Handicap (1100m), has a good record at the track with one win and five placings from seven starts.
Julio Santarelli: RWWA