In-form stablemates Full Peal and Lord Wimble can join Atlantic Jewel, Sepoy, Freereturn and Let’s Be Happy as the winners of the most races in Victoria this season if successful at Flemington on Saturday.
But Let’s Be Happy, prepared by Mick Clark at Horsham, can take the lead if she wins out the Johnstaff Projects Hcp (1610m).
The mare has won five of her past eight starts dating back to August 8 and is chasing her fourth straight city success.
The Bill and Symon Wilde-trained Full Peal shoots for his fifth straight win in the Zouki Western Health Cup (2000m) while Lord Wimble is after his fifth win from his past six outings in the Lanec Services Hcp (1720m).
A five-year-old by 2003 AJC Derby and Epsom Handicap winner Clangalang, Full Peal steps up to 2000m for the first time but is expected to handle the trip and is the $1.85 favourite with TAB Sportsbet.
Last start the gelding won by 2-1/2 lengths from Saturday’s rival Abitofado on a heavy track over 1800m at Sandown and meets that gelding 1.5 kg worse at the weights.
He’ll again be ridden by the in-form Ben Melham.
“We want to try him over 2000 metres to see if he can get the trip,” Symon Wilde said.
“If he could win this race, he’ll probably have raced himself out of handicaps.
“We’d probably give him a bit of a break and look at an autumn campaign with him.
“He is a five-year-old now, he’s had plenty of time to mature, so I don’t think we’d be looking to give him a long spell or anything.
“He’s here to race, he’s lovely and sound and he’s shown us a really good turn of foot in his last few runs.”
Lord Wimble had been winning his races either leading or racing on the speed but showed a different dimension when he settled last and came with a strong, late run to win a Ballarat Showcase 0-72 (1400m) on a slow track.
Danny Nikolic, who rode him at Ballarat, retains the ride.
The gelding, who has won four of his eight starts is having his first metropolitan start and first try beyond 1400m.
“The 1720 metres looks to be a lovely stepping stone for him. He looks like he’s crying out for it after his last run at Ballarat,” Wilde said.
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