Tasmanian stayer Dream Pedlar has enhanced his Caulfield Cup chances with a strong win in the Listed JRA Cup at Moonee Valley.
Ridden By Craig Newitt, the seven-year-old relished the rain affected track on Friday night and powered home to a two length victory over Carnero and Domesky.
The race was robbed of much interest with the scratchings of Linton, Rekindled Interest, At First Sight and Southern Speed but it only gave trainer Troy Blacker more confidence his horse could win.
“When the scratchings came out I started to get quite confident,” Blacker said.
Dream Pedlar is only now hitting form after an eye-catching sixth to December Draw when third-up in the Group Three Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 17.
“I am happy the way he has come over and he has improved with every run,” Blacker said.
A noted country Cups performer, Dream Pedlar is now liable for a weight penalty for the Caulfield Cup which will elevate him in the order of entry.
He has 51kg in the Cup and is presently equal 40th on the qualifying list.
Last year he won the Bendigo Cup and he is also a Devonport Cup winner in Tasmania.
He has also been placed twice in the Hobart Cup and also placed in a Launceston Cup.
“We are nominated for the Caulfield Cup but whether we get in we are not sure,” Blacker said.
Newitt said Dream Pedlar was a tough stayer but queried his talent for a Caulfield Cup.
“In a genuine, fast run, 2400 metres he would be very strong late but whether he has the class (for a Caulfield Cup) I doubt it,” Newitt said.
Four of the past six JRA Cup winners have won at Group One or Two level later in their preparation.
El Segundo (2005) and Maldivian (2007) both went on to win the Group One Caulfield Stakes at their next start, Alcopop (2009) followed up his win with the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes and last year’s winner Precedence later claimed the Group Two Moonee Valley Cup.
AAP TURF
