John O’Shea hopes to strike while the iron is hot with his three runners at Canterbury, headed by Legsman in the Listed Frank Underwood Cup.
The Randwick trainer has been in a purple patch of form this month with four winners at the past two Saturday meetings in town.
He landed a treble at Rosehill a fortnight ago via Faustus, Colorado Claire and Lightinthenite before producing Hendricus for a last gasp victory at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
“It’s been good. I’ve worked very hard to acquire nice horses over the past couple of years and been very patient with them,” O’Shea said.
“It’s starting to pay some dividends.”
TAB Sportsbet has priced Legsman at $8.50 for the Frank Underwood Cup (1900m) and he comes into the feature off the back of a third-up fifth to Strike One.
He will be ridden by apprentice Josh Adams and O’Shea believes his charge is well weighted with 54.5kg.
Only three of the 13 acceptors are above the 53kg minimum with the others being topweight Solid Billing (57kg) and Strike One (56.5kg).
“He comes in very well at the weights,” O’Shea said.
“Due to the congestion I think it will be very difficult for the horses on the minimum.
“He’s got a good record at Canterbury. I’d probably like to have seen him draw out more but his gate speed is quite good.”
Legsman has been placed on heavy ground and boasts a superior record on slow tracks, highlighted by his victory over Group winner Tullamore in the Winter Cup in June.
Like many of the Frank Underwood hopefuls, Legsman is being aimed at the Listed Christmas Cup on December 10 and Summer Cup on Boxing Day, both over 2400m at Rosehill.
O’Shea’s other runners include unraced youngster Don’t Blink, a half-sister to 2006 Maribyrnong Plate winner Husson Lightning.
The Redoute’s Choice filly has won her only two barrier trials and O’Shea says she is a ready-made juvenile.
“She’s a classic sort of two-year-old,” he said.
“She is very genuine and she’s a jump-and-run horse.”
Tigress Lily will also fly the stable’s flag in the Canterbury BMW-Driving Strong Relationships Handicap (1550m).
She has been unplaced in three runs from a spell but O’Shea predicts an improved showing.
“She was interfered with last start at Canterbury and nearly fell at the 600,” O’Shea said.
“I’m looking for a performance on Saturday that will put her back in vogue.”
AAP TURF
