Exciting five-year-old Flat Chat will crown his meteoric rise through the grades with a crack at the Group Three Easter Cup at Caulfield.
Trained by John Sadler, Flat Chat has won his past four starts and will back up in Saturday’s 2000m feature seven days after scoring an emphatic win in the National Jockeys Trust Handicap (1600m) at Flemington.
The victory impressed Sadler’s racing manager Troy Corstens, particularly as the gelding over-raced in the lead in the back straight and found another gear in the run home to win by 3-1/2 lengths.
“I thought the head wind coming down the straight might tell on him the last 200 metres but he kicked and never looked like getting caught,” Corstens said.
“He’s done a really good job to come though his grades like he has and deserves a crack at a better race like the Easter Cup now.
“That will probably be his last run this campaign because he doesn’t handle the wet tracks at all.
Flat Chat, who has won seven of his 24 starts, had a 71-rating when he won a 0-72 handicap at Sandown on March 9 and added 0-78 and 0-89 events at Moonee Valley before successfully graduating to open class at Flemington.
He now has a 95-rating and is showing no signs that he has reached the summit.
Apprentice Jake Noonan has ridden Flat Chat at three of his past four wins and described his Flemington victory as his best yet.
And he believes he will only get better.
“He was on the wrong leg, was off and on the bridle, and wanted to lay out so to win like he did shows that he has got a good future,” Noonan said.
“The margin wasn’t as big but I think that (last Saturday) was his most dominant win.”
Corstens said Flat Chat was on trial at 2000 metres but he was confident he would run it out strongly.
“You would think the distance wouldn’t be a problem,” Corstens said. “He is pretty adaptable.”
Flat Chat is among 32 nominations for the Easter Cup.
Others include last year’s winner Fanjura as well as other 100-plus raters Luen Yat Forever, Buccellati, Rainbow Styling, Spacecraft, Launay, Vivid Vixen, and Avienus.
Last start Flemington winner Stole and Shamoline Warrior, who showed a glimpse of his best form last start, add depth to the race.
The Group Three Victoria Hcp (1400m) entries include in-form galloper Zedi Knight, Sound Journey, Carrara, Danzylum, Orbit Express, Set For Fame, Dubleanny, and Time Matters.
AAP TURF
