Weighted out of sprint races in South Australia, prolific winner Periduki will have his first start for new trainer Todd Balfour at Flemington after being transferred from Mick Whittle.
Adelaide apprentice Scott Westover will claim two kilograms on the Perugino seven-year-old who received topweight of 59.5kg in Saturday’s Red Tempo Hcp (1000m) which will be his first start on a Melbourne track.
Westover has won five races on the gelding in Adelaide and last start was third to Shekinaar on him when he carried 60kg over 1000m at Morphettville on November 26.
“Scott knows him and he can be a tricky old horse,” Balfour, who is delighted to have Periduki in his stable, said.
“He’s been a great old horse and Mick has been a great friend.
“I’ve always looked up to him as a horseman and he’s given me the chance to have a go with him over here (in Melbourne).
“I’m going to be working closely with him. I’ve got plenty to learn off Mick and probably off the horse too.
“I only picked him up on Saturday when I was there and brought him back with me.
“He’s won 19 races, I’d like to have a few horses like him.”
Periduki’s rating in Victoria is 104 which Balfour said gives him some relief as his rating in South Australia had climbed up to 109.
Periduki, who has also been placed eight times from 51 starts for more than $470,000 in prize money, has done all of his racing to date in the Northern Territory and South Australia under the care of either Whittle or his daughter Lisa Lefoe.
His biggest win was in the 2010 Listed Matrice Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville.
Periduki won the 2008 Pioneer Sprint (1200m) in Alice Springs and was runner-up to Jade City in the Palmerston Sprint (1200m), Darwin’s biggest sprint event, the same year.
In his latest Adelaide stint with Whittle since coming back from the Northern Territory the horse won five races and was placed on another three occasions from nine outings.
“I really hope it works, it’s great to have a horse like him in the backyard,” Balfour said.
Periduki has drawn barrier seven in the 10-horse field and is up against last-start Caulfield winner Canali (gate four) and last-start Moonee Valley winner Galbraith (two).
The Flemington track was on Wednesday rated a dead (4) and the rail will be out 12 metres.
AAP TURF
