Tulloch Lodge has a good record with horses racing on a seven-day back-up and Tim Clark hopes to be a beneficiary when he rides Taikomochi in the ATC Cup.
The six-year-old heads to Saturday’s Listed race at Rosehill a week after finishing midfield behind Mister Sea Wolf in the $1 million The Gong (1600m) at Kembla Grange.
Clark, who has a long history of success riding for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, expects a distance rise and quick back-up to work in Taikomochi’s favour.
“The 2000 is going to suit him and on the quick back-up, their horses usually perform well,” Clark said.
“I saw him during the week and he looks great. The run at Kembla has brought him on nicely.
“He does like just a little bit of give in the ground. Hopefully there is a bit of jar out for him because Kembla was quite firm the other day.”
Tulloch Lodge has a terrific record in the ATC Cup (2000m), winning it most recently with Broadside two years ago, who was also ridden by Clark.
The hoop will be partnering Taikomochi for the first time in a race but he has done plenty of groundwork with the horse on the training track.
“He’s a kind horse and good to do anything with,” Clark said.
“I’ve ridden him work plenty of times and had a bit to do with him at the track but I’m looking forward to getting on him for the first time in a race.”
A field of 13 will contest Saturday’s ATC Cup, six of them from the Chris Waller stable including High Bridge, who is resuming, and former Japanese horse Admire Winner.
The latter won two of his 11 starts in Japan and Waller has tinkered with his gear since he finished unplaced at his Australian debut in the Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury, his first start in almost two years.
Waller’s contingent also includes Tumultous, to be ridden by young Irish jockey Oisin Orr who is spending the next three months under the tutelage of the premier trainer in Sydney.
