Sydney Cup qualification is the motivating factor behind imported stayer Permit chasing his first stakes success at Warwick Farm on Thursday.
The in-form Permit is one of two Listed Australia Day Cup (2400m) runners for premier trainer Chris Waller and the gelding has been well supported in early betting, firming from $4.80 to $3.80 favouritism with TAB Sportsbet.
“We’ve been weighing it up all the way through and contemplated sending him to the paddock and then getting him ready for the Sydney Cup,” Waller said.
“But at the end of the day you’ve still got to qualify for the Sydney Cup and have still got to be good enough to win a Sydney Cup.
“If he won tomorrow it would be a big step towards qualifying for it and then you can worry about planning and setting him for the race from there.”
Permit has won two of his three starts for Waller including an impressive victory with 59kg on his back over 2400m at Rosehill on January 14.
On that occasion jockey Hugh Bowman had to wait patiently behind a wall of horses in the straight before getting the gelding into the clear at the 200m mark.
Permit picked up quickly under the weight to win by almost a length running away and drops to 54kg on Thursday.
“He’s stepping up to a different grade tomorrow though,” Waller said.
“He was entitled to be below the minimum weight tomorrow.
“On the handicapping scale he should have 51-1/2 kilos so he’s out of his grade.
“But once again, it comes back to the fact that if you want to be competitive in a Sydney Cup you’ve got to be able to race out of your grade and perform well.”
Permit’s stablemate Wazn has also been racing well this preparation and is expected to relish the wet ground in his first attempt over 2400m.
Wazn finished second to Straight Albert in the Listed Gosford Cup (2100m) last start and is also on the limit weight of 54kg.
“The distance shouldn’t be a problem the way he’s been running out his races and all his runs this preparation have been great,” Waller said.
“He’s well weighted, he’s the horse that deserves to be on the minimum weight so he’s got a few things in his favour.”
Wazn is the $4.80 second favourite with TAB Sportsbet while the John O’Shea-trained Legsman, third in the Gosford Cup last start, is on the next line of betting at $5.50.
AAP TURF
