Form around a genuine Melbourne Cup fancy has trainer John O’Shea looking forward to the summer with honest stayer Legsman.
The six-year-old will take another step towards his off-season goals when he runs second-up over 1800 metres at Rosehill on Saturday in the Ingham Love’Em Handicap.
“The form around him is pretty fair,” O’Shea said.
“He did beat Tullamore at the end of his last preparation which is not bad.”
That was in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m) before Tullamore went to Queensland and claimed the Brisbane Cup.
Last Saturday Tullamore finished third to Southern Speed in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Legsman resumed with a midfield effort on October 8 over 1350m at Rosehill.
O’Shea was satisfied with the performance over a journey well short of the gelding’s best.
“He’s getting ready for the Christmas and Summer Cups and we’re bringing him along steadily,” O’Shea said.
“In another run or two he’ll be ready to really produce his best.”
Legsman came in 6-1/2 lengths behind the smart Somepin Anypin first-up in a pass mark for the stayer.
“He was keen and he wanted to be there,” O’Shea said.
“We usually kick him off at the provincials so to kick off in Open company and get beaten five or six lengths was not a bad effort.”
He said the step up to 1800m second-up was probably not ideal but believed it would bring the gelding right on again.
In a 25-start career Legsman has forged a reputation as a no-nonsense, on-pace stayer who will dig in for a fight.
The son of Pins has five wins and 13 placings to his name with his best performance being his length victory over Tullamore in the Winter Cup in June.
He will have up to 12 rivals on Saturday including multiple stakeswinner Pepperwood, while the Anthony Cummings-trained pair of Dealer Principal and Red Lord are dual acceptors with both also paid up for the opening race over 2000m.
AAP TURF
