With a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup already in hand for Whisky On The Hill, some may have been tempted to avoid too much more scrutiny from the handicapper and bypass a race like the Sydney Cup.
That was a topic of discussion between trainer Glen Thompson and the ownership group but when sometimes the option at hand is wiser than the path of least resistance, the promising stayer will take his place in the Group 1 3200-metre staying highlight at Randwick on Saturday.
“There is always the concern about another win giving him more weight in the Melbourne Cup but that race is a long way away,” Thompson said.
“While he’s racing well, and I’ve seen it too many times that if you sit around and wait, you can kick yourself later on.
“He’s fit and well and you have to have a crack. The golden ticket guarantees that you can be there but it doesn’t guarantee that you will.”
Whisky On The Hill provided a highly emotional moment for Thompson when winning the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 28.
That victory gave the gelding a free pass into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 3.
In the meantime, the focus is on Randwick and the hope that some rain will soften the track towards Saturday.
“He had his main gallop on Monday morning and pulled up really well,” Thompson said.
“As long as he trots up well on Tuesday, he’ll head to Sydney on Tuesday night.”
An accomplished horseman, Thompson knows how much can happen with a horse in seven months plus races like the Sydney Cup are few and far between in Australia.
Damian Lane has been aboard in the six-year-old’s most significant wins of late which has included the Roy Higgins and the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington last November.
“With 53.5-kilos, Damian Lane was keen to ride again and his feedback was a main factor,” Thompson said.
“If he was willing to get down to that weight, that is a very good push.”Whisky On The Hill is rated a $15 chance on Saturday with the Ciaron Maher-trained Mr Monaco the $4.50 favourite.
