The chance to run on his favoured heavy conditions at his pet track and distance means Jopa will back up for the third week in a row when he runs at Doomben.
The nine-year-old Jopa will be having his 79th start Satruday’s Open Hcp (1350m).
Jopa loves the Doomben 1350m having won seven times and been minor placed on another seven occasions at the track and distance.
He is also a noted heavy track horse with three wins and three seconds from seven starts.
Jopa has not won in four starts this campaign but has run well with a second, a third and two fourths.
Trainer Robert Heathcote marvels at the toughness of Jopa who was second in the Listed Goldmarket Stakes last Saturday.
“I am acutely aware that he is nine-years-old and it is three weeks in a row. But he loves the track and distance and the heavy going is perfect for him,” Heathcote said.
“We only ran him last Saturday because we thought it would be very heavy but the track dried out. So it was a really good effort to finish second.”
“Provided the weather bureau has it right and the rain hangs around he will start on Saturday.”
Stablemate Punta Norte won’t run in the race if the track is worse than a soft seven.
“He handles soft tracks but anything worse would be a test for him,” Heathcote said.
