Chris Waller has the bases stacked for the Group 3 Premier’s Cup with his six likely runners accounting for almost half the field and three of the top four places in betting.
His promising stayer Lord Ardmore leads the charge as a clear cut $3.20 favourite, ahead of stablemates Francesco Guardi ($7.50) and Yiyi, who has attracted early market support to be an $8 third pick.
But if there is to be a fly in the ointment for the champion trainer, it shapes as the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained import Grove Ferry.
The six-year-old turned in one of his best efforts since arriving in Australia when second to Lord Ardmore in the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m) last start, pushing his rival right to the line.
Prior to that, Grove Ferry over-raced when unplaced in the South Grafton Cup but jockey Tim Clark says the former English galloper’s racing nous is improving.
“It was nice to see him show that bit of a form turnaround. He’s a horse with talent but he’s taking a little while to get used to the way of racing here,” Clark said.
“But now he’s getting up in trip and he’s doing things a bit better, the results are starting to come.”
While Grove Ferry led and was overhauled late by Lord Ardmore last start, Clark said the gelding was strong to the line and didn’t expect him to have any trouble handling the extra 200m of Saturday’s race.
“Even when Lord Ardmore came to him, he didn’t shirk the task,” Clark said.
“He made him earn his win and he was still pretty strong on the line himself.
“We will find out a bit more on Saturday. If he performs well, a Wyong Cup might be a good option for him.”
Tulloch Lodge has an outstanding record in the Premier’s Cup having won it five times in the past 20 years, most recently with Dee I Cee in 2017.
