Jockey Luke Nolen says track conditions are the key to the chances of mudlark Rothera maintaining his Eclipse Stakes winning form in the Ballarat Cup.
Rothera was booked to return to Queensland this week but trainer Peter Moody deferred travel plans after the gelding’s stunning form reversal in last Saturday’s Eclipse at Sandown.
Nolen attributed the improved run to the soft track and is hoping to get similar conditions for the Ballarat Cup (2200m) on Sunday.
“The most significant thing will be if it is yielding enough for him,” Nolen told Radio Sport National.
“He had been working good at home but wasn’t doing much in his races (until last Saturday).”
Nolen said Rothera also appreciated the distance increase to 1800 metres and should be suited over 2200 metres.
“He was strong through the line after covering a little bit of ground in the Eclipse at 1800 (metres) so there is no reason he won’t run the trip on Sunday,” Nolen said.
Showers were expected to develop in Ballarat on Friday night ahead of rain periods and possible thunderstorms on Saturday.
Rothera has won 12 of his 32 starts and is $4.40 favourite to win the Cup.
Mick Kent-trained Domesky is the big market mover from $7.50 to $5.50 while Musical Hit, who beat Domesky narrowly at Flemington last start, is $7.
AAP TURF
