Consistent sprinter Cascabel will be trying to break a luckless summer run when he backs up for his third feature race since Christmas in the Listed Doveton Stakes at Caulfield.
Trainer Robbie Griffiths said the six-year-old, who has placed second at his last three starts, performed well with two races close together but would be in uncharted territory when he lines up on Saturday over 1200 metres for his third run in 12 days.
“He always backs up well a week apart but we have never done three in a row, especially coming off a hot day like he faced this week,” Griffiths said.
“I want to make sure his pre-race blood, weight and hydration is good but I certainly couldn’t see any reason why we shouldn’t accept today (Wednesday) for Saturday when it gives us another 72 hours to work out what to do.
“It is bit early to tell because it has only been 48 hours since he raced on Monday but he certainly seems to be quite upbeat since the run.”
Cascabel was gallant in defeat when he dead-heated for second with Rocking Force behind Catapulted in Monday’s Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington just a week after finishing second to Zedi Knight in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
He was also second when beaten in a photo-finish by Translation at Flemington on December 10.
“He is very consistent and deserves to win one of these races,” Griffiths said.
Griffiths said Cascabel, who had been luckless in recent runs, was beaten on his merits in the Standish and rated First Command as his biggest threat in the Doveton.
“He (Cascabel) is not as good as Catapulted and First Command is also a better horse than him when he is on song,” Griffiths said.
“The others in the race are at a pretty similar level so if he is okay we will roll the dice.”
TAB Sportsbet on Wednesday opened Cascabel fourth favourite in the eight-horse field at $6.
Adelaide sprinter Stirling Grove, who was scratched from the Standish, is $2.80 favourite ahead of First Command ($4) and Second Effort ($4.80).
AAP TURF