Tulloch Lodge mare Alalcance has taken all before her this campaign but one box still remains to be ticked.
Co-trainer Adrian Bott is hoping she can take care of that at Randwick when she steps out to two miles for the first time in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
The former European has been one of the finds of the autumn, stringing together a trio of stakes wins, most recently in the Chairman’s Quality (2600m) last weekend when she emphatically accounted for many of Saturday’s rivals.
She is a popular favourite to extend her brilliance over the longer Sydney Cup journey, and Bott says all the signs point to her being able to stay.
“She’s got the pedigree to suggest she will stay and she was obviously very strong through the line there on Saturday after sustaining a strong gallop,” Bott said of the daughter of Mastercraftsman.
“All the right indications are there. Obviously, you do like to see them prove themselves first over that distance so it’s going to be new territory for her on Saturday.
“But everything she has shown to date gives a positive indication that she will (stay).”
The Chairman’s Quality has been a useful Sydney Cup guide in recent years with Circle Of Fire claiming the double 12 months ago.
Bott said Alalcance had come through that run in “great shape” and continued to raise the bar.
“It was one of her better performances this preparation and that’s what we were hoping to see, that continued improvement as we see her step up in trip,” he said.
The five-year-old has drawn barrier 15 in the field of 20 plus three reserves but that is expected to suit the on-pace mare.
“As we saw on Saturday, Tim (Clark) was able to ride his own race and that’s what we’re going to look to do with her,” Bott said.
“She is versatile, there are a number of different ways she can be ridden and I think that draw gives us the best options to do so.”
Alalcance ($2.40 fav) dominates Sydney Cup betting with Zardozi ($8) and Birdman ($8.50) the only other runners at single-figure odds.
