The Epsom Handicap has emerged as a possible swan-song race for pre-post favourite Sincero.
As Stephen Farley prepares Sincero to keep an unbeaten record at Group One level in Saturday’s feature mile at Randwick, the Wyong trainer believes racing’s handicappers have already had their say over the future direction of his bargain-buy star.
“The Epsom will probably be the last time we see him in a handicap race, especially if he wins,” Farley said.
“I would say his future after Saturday will be as a weight-for-age horse. Not that’s there anything wrong with that.
“It’s a nice problem to have.”
Sincero was originally given 56.5kg in the Epsom but he will have the number one saddlecloth with 57kg when weights are raised at acceptance time on Wednesday.
“Looking at it he is handicapped right up to his best but I suppose he has probably earned it,” Farley said.
“I’m not complaining by any means.”
Sincero has raced in two Group Ones for as many wins.
A Stradbroke Handicap winner with a light weight as a winter three-year-old, Sincero has since graduated to weight-for-age company with his dogged George Main Stakes victory.
“He is a horse who is now more suited to weight-for-age,” Farley said.
Farley said the Epsom, in which Sincero is a solid $3.40 favourite, would offer a serious examination of his horse’s credentials.
“There looks to be a bit more depth to the race this year so it’s going to be a good test for him,” he said.
“Still, he’s given every indication since the George Main that he’ll be very hard to beat.”
Farley confirmed Sincero would head to Melbourne to contest the Caulfield Stakes – the galloper’s first start over 2000m – on October 8.
The weight-for-age Group One will complete Sincero’s build-up to the $3 million Cox Plate on October 22.
In other Epsom news, Melbourne jockey Craig Newitt has been booked to ride Light Brigade, one of three runners for Gai Waterhouse.
Light Brigade has 52kg and Waterhouse believes the horse fits the profile to be a genuine chance in a major Randwick mile.
As an autumn three-year-old, Light Brigade enjoyed some promising moments, none more so than his third placing to Ilovethiscity and Skilled in the Group One Randwick Guineas.
He bounced back from a first-up failure on a heavy track at Warwick Farm to be beaten narrowly by Raspberries in the Cameron Handicap at Newcastle.
Waterhouse described Light Brigade as her Epsom wildcard.
“He’s going really well, a lovely horse and he’s right on the track for the race.”
AAP TURF
