Gerald Ryan will turn the clock back more than 15 years and target one of Perth’s biggest races with the underrated Ego’s Dare.
Ego’s Dare will line up in the final event at Flemington on Saturday before heading to Perth for the Group One Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 19.
It is not the first time Ryan has crossed the Nullarbor, although it is the first time in a long time.
“I’ve had some good luck in Perth,” Ryan said.
“I took a few horses there from Melbourne when I was training there and I won the Australian Derby and finished second in two Perth Cups.”
Ryan won the Derby in 1992 with Dance The Day Away then two years later Diamond Heist beat all but Palatious in the Perth Cup.
He returned for another shot at the Perth Cup in 1996 with Ernesto who was runner-up to Crying Game.
Ego’s Dare will be one of two runners for Ryan at Flemington along with Ironstein in the Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).
His Melbourne team has been performing admirably this spring with Ryan collecting seconds on Melbourne Cup day with Snitzerland and Top Drop, who also picked up a win at the Geelong Cup day meeting.
Ego’s Dare booked his passage to Melbourne with an eye-catching fourth to Love Conquers All in the Group Two The Shorts (1200m) at Rosehill in September then wasn’t disgraced when unplaced in the Group Two Salinger Stakes (1200m) at Flemington last Saturday when he was beaten just over five lengths.
Saturday’s Emirates Airlines Handicap (1400m) represents a significant drop in class and Ryan has made a key gear change.
“I’ve taken the blinkers off and we’ll go back to riding him quietly,” Ryan said.
Ironstein was paid up for the Melbourne Cup but didn’t gain a start and Ryan said he had thrived since his arrival in Melbourne two weeks ago.
The gelding was an unlucky fourth in The Metropolitan then had a tough run from a wide gate when fifth to Galizani in the Tattersall’s Club Cup last time out.
“His run the other day was quite good. He was three wide on a fast pace,” Ryan said.
“He’s been up a long time but he’s been racing consistently and in his last 19 starts he’s finished in the first five on something like 16 occasions.
“I give him a winning chance. He’s got no weight and he looks terrific.”
Ryan also confirmed Hot Snitzel had been spelled following his sixth to Sepoy in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“I’m not sure where he sits for the autumn because he’s not quite up to the Group Ones,” he said.
AAP TURF
