Trainer Jeremy Easthope is looking forward to saddling Upper Limits and believes he’s primed to turn the tables in the $100,000 Blue Spec Stakes (1650m) at Belmont on Saturday.
Upper Limits ran second to hot commodity Triple Jay in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago, but Jeremy Easthope says he has good reason to think his combatant can put his best foot forward and reverse the result on the weekend.
“I think he’ll go well and his run the other day was good,” Easthope said to Racing WA.
“We had few minor things behind the scenes last start, but the last couple of weeks have been really good.
“He worked really good at Lark Hill this morning (Wednesday) and we’re looking forward to getting him up to the mile.
“That’s sort of his sweet spot and hopefully we can get the better of Triple Jay this week.”
Under Lucy Fiore, Upper Limits settled fourth and followed Triple Jay in the Jockey Celebration Day Stakes and as hard as he tried, he couldn’t bridge the gap in the straight and fell short by one length.
Triple Jay, prepared by Dan and Ben Pearce, a stable in top form, is attempting to win four straight races in the Blue Spec Stakes and his first over the distance.
Easthope has abundant respect for Triple Jay, rating him the hardest horse to beat and the biggest threat to Upper Limit’s prospects.
Despite a minor distance query, Easthope doesn’t believe that will be Triple Jay’s Achilles heel or bring about the undoing of the five-year-old.
“The way he runs out the 1400m you wouldn’t think so,” Easthope said.
“He’s strong and still held us ok the other day.
“Lucy said if she had her time again, she would have eyeballed Triple Jay at the top of the straight, instead of trying to sit and chase him.
“She would have gone and put the pressure on a bit earlier.”
Upper Limits and Fiore team up again in the Blue Spec Stakes, commencing from barrier eight in the field of nine starters.
Easthope said Upper Limits is a possibility for the upcoming Kalgoorlie carnival, the Hannans (1400m) and Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) are being considered.
Later, Ascot carnival ambitions include the Railway Stakes (1600m) and Perth Cup (2400m).
Easthope is keen to grab a second Goldfields feature after winning the Hannans in 2008 with Fim Maru.
With Tab touch, Upper Limits is rated a $7 chance in the Blue Spec Stakes. Triple Jay the $2.50 favourite.
