Trainer Matt Laurie is confident he has The Big Steel close to peak fitness in his attempt to maintain his unbeaten record at Flemington in Saturday’s Comic Court Handicap.
The grey, who has won six of his 20 starts including four on Melbourne tracks, has raced just twice at headquarters, winning over 1800m on Oaks Day in 2010 and over 2000m on Anzac Day in April which was his most recent victory.
In that race the Urgent Request five-year-old defeated Tinamou and Gold In Dubai who both went on to win rich country Cups.
Tinamou took out the Warrnambool Cup (2350m) at his next start beating subsequent Lexus Stakes winner Niwot, while Gold In Dubai was successful in the Ipswich Cup (2150m).
The Big Steel was spelled after finishing sixth on a slow track in the Warrnambool Cup and will be near his top for the 2000m on Saturday after two encouraging runs this preparation.
The gelding resumed with a three-length fifth to Under The Eiffel in the Group Three Sandown Stakes (1500m) last month and was beaten the same margin when runner-up to Elusive King over 2000m at Caulfield on December 3.
He meets the Peter Moody-trained Elusive King 1.5kg better for that meeting.
“He’s certainly performed well when we’ve taken him there so that is a positive,” Mornington-based Laurie said.
“With that (Caulfield) run under his belt and a bit more fitness there’s no reason why he’s not going to be right in the finish.”
Ben Melham, who has won four races aboard The Big Steel, takes the mount replacing Craig Newitt who rode him for the first time last start.
“He naturally goes forward. I’ll just leave it up to Ben, he’s ridden the horse to most of his wins and knows him inside out,” Laurie said.
“He’ll have him in a nice position, hopefully there’ll be one or two in front of him and he’s got enough room to just stride along and finish off.”
Elusive King is $2.60 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of The Big Steel at $3.60, Coldens Choice at $5 with topweight Red Buttons next at $9.
Laurie’s other runner at the meeting is From The Terrace ($11), to be ridden by Michelle Payne in the Cleanevent Hcp (1420m).
Since taking over the former Danny O’Brien-trained galloper, Laurie has won two races at Sandown from 13 starts with the Untouchable six-year-old.
“He’s a horse that needs to have his runs spaced a bit to get the best out of him,” Laurie said.
“We keep him ticking over in between races at Fulmen Park on the water-walker.
“That really helps him and since he’s been back at my stables his work has been really good and I’m very happy with him going into tomorrow.”
While From The Terrace hasn’t been placed in five starts at Flemington he has run fourth there twice including a good effort behind Saturday’s rival Orbit Express in the Tab First 4 Stakes (1400m) in March.
The gelding has been placed in three of his seven tries at the 1400m range without a win.
He has won from 1225m to 2400m but hasn’t been beyond 1600m with Laurie.
AAP TURF
