HORSE RACING
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With Liberty Charging's debut at Kembla Grange on Saturday arrives a new generation of two-year-olds for Canberra-based trainer Keith Dryden.
After a leaner than usual patch, the experienced horseman is looking to reinvigorate his stable with a new crop of youngsters.
"I have been pretty quiet because I sacked a lot of horses and brought a lot of young ones in," Dryden said.
"This is the first lot of it. I had 20 in work and only three in racing, so now I have probably about six or seven racing now.
"A win would do everyone's confidence a world of good."
While he wasn't setting his expectations through the roof, the former ACT premiership-winning trainer refused to rule out a boilover result in Saturday's Maiden Plate (1000m).
New Darley boss John O'Shea will send out the overwhelming favourite in two-year-old charge Satire for race one on the card.
The $220,000 Lonhro colt won a trial almost three weeks ago and looks the one to beat, according to Dryden. But he couldn't discount a strong run from his own two-year-old.
"A result wouldn't shock, I think this horse is going to be all right. He has got a bit of pace," Dryden said.
"I just don't know if he is strong enough yet. He will get there. You would probably like to see him grow another half a hand if you can get that out of him."
Sydney apprentice James Innes will take the ride after moving on loan to the Dryden stable from Randwick trainer Craig Carmody for a three-month stint.
"Craig has done a great job with him and now he is just trying to ride out his claim in the bush before he gets back to the city," Dryden said.
"He has been with us about a month now and rode a winner for me at the last Canberra meeting.
"He has probably had about six for me, so he is going along all right. He is a good kid."
The race will also feature veteran Kembla trainer Elsie Green's first runner in more than four years when A Tiny Bureaucrat debuts.