Trainer Con Karakatsanis is unperturbed by Riva De Lago’s wide draw but admits to reservations over the distance of Saturday’s Sebring Stakes.
The four-year-old resumed with an unlucky fourth to Title last month when he drew barrier two and had trouble gaining clear running in the straight.
Karakatsanis is much happier to see him drawn out for the Group Three Sebring Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill where he has barrier 12 of 14.
“I’d prefer to draw 12 than two,” Karakatsanis said.
“As we saw last start when he drew inside he needed luck to get out and to the outside, which never eventuated.
“From 12 he can sit outside them and it looks like there should be a hot speed so he can get the last crack at them.”
The lightly-raced Riva De Lago has won three of his 10 starts and Karakatsanis thinks highly enough of him to set the gelding for the Stradbroke Handicap over the Brisbane winter carnival.
His one question mark over Saturday’s race is whether Riva De Lago will be sharp enough for 1100 metres second-up.
“My only concern is the 1100 metres but there were no other available races,” Karakatsanis said.
“He’s looking for 1300 to 1400 metres and that’s when you will see a totally different horse.
“But since his last run I’ve given him an easy time and he only had an easy gallop on Saturday.”
A former jockey before weight caught up with him and he switched to training, Karakatsanis rides Rive De Lago in much of his work.
He said the gelding could be excitable but his raw talent made up for any quirks in his attitude.
“He’s not easy to train and I do ride him a fair bit myself,” Karakatsanis said.
“He knows he’s pretty good and he shows off a little bit but he’s a lovely horse.”
Riva De Lago has 54kg on Saturday with weights headed by comeback galloper Mic Mac on 59kg.
Mic Mac has not raced since he finished fifth to Black Caviar in the 2010 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield.
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