The decision to lower the bar for Count Encosta could pay dividends in the Listed Christmas Cup at Rosehill on Saturday.
The gelding looked to be one of the more promising stayers in training when he swept home to win the Group Two Tulloch Stakes (2000m) in April 2010.
The next three horses across the line were Descarado, Maluckyday and Gathering.
But while that trio has risen to greater heights, Count Encosta hasn’t quite delivered on his promise.
He has run some handy races, including a dead-heat for fourth in the Group Two Chairman’s Handicap in the autumn, but the Tulloch remains his most recent victory.
Trainer John Thompson and owner Nathan Tinkler decided to lower their sights with the five-year-old this campaign and target the Christmas-Summer Cup double.
“They’re the two main aims,” Patinack Farm racing manager Robyn Hartney said.
“We thought we’d go to those second-tier type of races and take on the off-season horses.”
Count Encosta has not won over Saturday’s 2400-metre journey but has raced well at the trip.
He finished fourth to Herculian Prince in the 2010 Group One Metropolitan Handicap and was sixth to subsequent Melbourne Cup winner Americain in last year’s Geelong Cup, beaten just over 1-1/2 lengths.
His form this time in has been solid, highlighted by his fast-finishing sixth to Musical Hit over 2000m at Flemington on Emirates Stakes day and last-start fourth to Zara Dancer in the Frank Underwood Cup (1900m) at Canterbury.
“The Christmas and Summer Cups have always been the plan but unfortunately John and Nathan couldn’t find any lead-up other than the Frank Underwood and the tight track at Canterbury was never going to suit him,” Hartney said.
“He’s a big-striding horse and his last 150 metres was great.
“He was pulling ground off them on the line.”
Brenton Avdulla, who won the Tulloch aboard Count Encosta, has ridden him in nine of his 26 starts and will again be aboard in Saturday’s feature.
A field of 12 will tackle the Christmas Cup, including 2009 winner Scouting Wide and in-form Victorian Sea Galleon.
Patinack Farm will also be represented at Rosehill by Levi’s Choice in the Exponet Handicap (1900m).
The four-year-old was a nose second to Strike One two starts ago but disappointed in the Frank Underwood Cup when he finished last.
“Levi’s form is a bit hot and cold,” Hartney said.
“If he’s at his best then he would be right in it.”
AAP TURF
