Trainer Robbie Griffiths is looking forward to the return bout between those that raced in the Danehill Stakes and the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington.
The Griffiths-trained Legacy Bound finished fourth in the Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on October 4, behind Mcgaw, My Gladiola and Tentyris who all line up in Saturday’s Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).
McGaw and Tentyris have been seen in action since with Tentyris turning the tables, but Griffiths is upbeat about his chances of turning the result around on Saturday.
Griffiths said Legacy Bound was in the worst part of the Flemington track in the Danehill, closest to the fence, and is hoping for a more even track on Saturday.
“He won first-up down the straight and he was good last start,” Griffiths said.
“In my opinion, they finished in order with how the track was playing that day, from widest first to us fourth, on the slower side.
“That’s how it appeared and that’s what everyone shared.
“Derby Day usually plays very fair. We’ve seen Coolmore winners come up the inside rail, down the outside rail, it’s usually been very fair.
“If that is the case, I would like to think we’re well-and-truly in the mix.”
Legacy Bound went into the Danehill Stakes unbeaten, having scored in both outings as a two-year-old, including over 1200m in Adelaide.
Griffiths said the 1200m trip on Saturday was a better fit for Legacy Bound than the 1100m races he had been competing in this campaign.
What Griffiths does not want to see before Saturday is any rain.
Legacy Bound has been below his best on rain affected ground in trials and jump-outs, but Griffiths did concede Flemington was a good draining track.
Griffiths joked he wouldn’t mind seeing a tarpaulin placed down the Flemington straight.
“Maybe from barrier four in a straight line, that would do me fine, but the wet is negative for us,” Griffiths said.
“All his wet form has been in trials, but on a different surface to Flemington.
“Since his last race, he’s had a nice little tick-over jump-out, and he galloped well on Monday.
“We’ve got the right horse, he’s in the right form and we just hope the little one percenters go our way on Saturday.”
