Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver is hoping the revival of the Werribee Cup will coincide with a return to winning form for veteran stayer Elmore.
With the future of the club in jeopardy after it needed an urgent track reconstruction, the Cup hasn’t been run at Werribee since 2007 while it was transferred to Geelong in 2008.
After three years, racing returned to Werribee in December and while the new track has received some criticism the club is confident it will be in top order for Friday’s meeting.
The $100,000 Cup (2630m) has attracted only eight runners and Oliver believes it looks ideal for Elmore, who hasn’t won since landing the Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington in March last year.
“He loves 2600m,” Oliver said. “It is probably his best trip and the form around him is pretty strong.”
At his last two starts Elmore has been competitive against five of the first six horses home in last Monday’s Adelaide Cup, including the winner Muir.
Muir finished third in the Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington on March 5, only three-quarters-of-a-length ahead of Elmore who was an eye-catching fourth.
“He (Elmore) probably ran better than he did last year in the Higgins Quality but he drew barrier 12 this year and got too far back,” Oliver said.
“Everything feels right with him going into this.
“Once he finds form is very consistent but he still needs all the favours to get over the line.
“He wins a race every year and the only query tomorrow is the small field.
“He needs a bit of pace on to make it a true staying test.”
Craig Williams rode Elmore last start and has stuck with him in the Cup for which the seven-year-old is TAB Sportsbet’s third favourite at $6.50.
Prominent owner Lloyd Williams has the favourite Upon ($1.95) who has won five of eight starts, including his last three in restricted grade.
Nick Hall will ride Upon while Muir’s Adelaide Cup-winning jockey Darren Gauci will ride stablemate Stillman ($21).
Second favourite is the Mick Kent-trained Montahlia ($4.40) who was a last start second at Moonee Valley.
AAP TURF
