Wagga horseman Gary Colvin will head to Rosehill with three runners, his biggest representation at a Sydney Saturday metropolitan meeting.
After missing out on a start in the Kosciuszko, Another One will head to Rosehill in search of a consolation win, and the chance to earn another shot at next year’s Country Championships.
Another One finished runner-up to Art Cadeau in the Country Championships Final in April and Colvin had hoped he would be picked up by a Kosciuszko slot holder and prepared him accordingly.
But it wasn’t to be and the Wagga trainer watched on from afar as the form from the Final was franked with Art Cadeau saluting in the $1.3 million race and Spiranac, who’d finished seventh in the autumn feature, grabbing third.
“The Kosciuszko was just like another Country Championships,” Colvin said.
“I took my time with him to get him right for it, so a couple of his runs probably didn’t look that good but it’s water under the bridge and we just move on.
“He’s still eligible for the Country Championships next year so we’ll probably run him on Saturday and if he acquits himself well, we’ll spell him straight away, have a break and go into the Country Championships at the beginning of the year.”
Another One lumped a big weight when resuming with a placing at Wagga in August and only just missed third-up last start when second to Above And Beyond over 1550 metres on the Kensington track.
He was scratched from Randwick on Melbourne Cup day due to a wide draw and Colvin expects him to be competitive on Saturday, regardless of whether the track is wet or dry.
“I know it’s a better class of race but I think he’s up to it. He’s probably one of the better horses I’ve had and he should run really well,” he said.
Gary Colvin is also upbeat about the prospects of Sizzling Cat in the Highway Handicap and said the backmarker’s racing pattern should negate his awkward draw.
Sizzling Cat came to town for a Highway in June and finished an eye-catching fourth, but Colvin says he is a more mature horse now and has thrived since going down narrowly first-up on his home track last month.
“I gave him a trial last week just to top him off for it and the 1500 should suit him,” he said.
“He was very immature and now we hope he’s starting to really put it together.”
Consistent mare Mahsinger rounds out his team in the Country Classic (2000m) and while she faces a class test, Colvin says she will stay the journey and deserves her chance.
“She is an honest little mare. We’ve never had her up to this class but you’ve got to give them a go.”
