Going back in distance from 1100-metres to 800 may seem unconventional but that is not a concern for trainer Brian Gentle who is looking for two wins in succession with Coincide.
The former Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained galloper has the record of four wins and eight minor placings in 37 starts and it was not until joining Gentle’s stable that the gelding got into the winning groove.
Victory last start over the 1100m journey at Ipswich dropping to the even shorter course in the Vale Barry ‘Keith’ Self Benchmark 58 Handicap could set up well with the right passage.
“Back in distance? I don’t think it is too much of a drama,” Gentle said.
“He has performed well over 800-metres before and he has shown a liking for Ipswich.”
The six-year-old tends to show the best version of himself at Ipswich with a win and three minor placings in seven outings there.
“With his record, he has had couple of unlucky runs but he is a rejuvenated horse,” Gentle added.
“He is the sort of horse who puts in 120% into his race day and also puts 120% into his gallops so at some stages he has been leaving everything on the track.
“At his last four starts he was missing the start on jumping and getting four or five lengths behind the second-last horse. Then he was making up a ton of ground late.
“I don’t know if there’s a trick but since he jumped well when he won at Dalby, he hasn’t looked back.”
Apprentice Jasper Franklin stays aboard Coincide for the fourth successive start.
“Jasper was unlucky on him a few runs back and so I was happy to give him another chance,” Gentle said.
“He wasn’t really happy (with the outcome) then and he said ‘if you keep me on your horses I’ll win for you’.”
Rated a $9.50 chance, Gentle puts the price down to the market’s uncertainty with the short trip this time.
