Chris Waller’s team for the Lord Mayors Cup is likely to be reduced by one but he still looks set to play a leading hand in Saturday’s staying feature at Rosehill.
Sydney’s premier trainer accepted with four runners but said last weekend’s Rowley Mile second placegetter Beaten Up was doubtful to take his place.
He is instead likely to head to the Scone Cup on Saturday week before embarking on a Brisbane Cup campaign.
Waller will still be strongly represented in the 2000m Listed contest, although the barrier draw has made it harder for two of his trio.
Hoylonny drew well in gate two but both Permit (12) and Moriarty (19) lucked out.
Permit hasn’t raced since finishing worse than midfield in the Chairman’s Handicap last month, the performance forcing Waller to abandon Sydney Cup plans.
“We see it each preparation with him. When we start to get towards our grand final, his runs just taper off,” Waller said.
“So rather than take the extra step and have a disaster in the Sydney Cup we pulled up stumps and freshened him up for this race on Saturday.
“He’s back in distance and with a big weight to carry but he should never be underestimated.”
Like Permit, Hoylonny has been freshened since he finished last on a heavy track in the JRA Plate.
Before that he was a game second to subsequent Hollindale Stakes winner Lights Of Heaven and from what Waller saw at trackwork on Tuesday, he believes Hoylonny is poised to bounce back.
“We’ve backed off his work and I saw a great turn of foot when I galloped him on Tuesday,” Waller said.
“On a better track I think he can turn his form around.”
The outside gate has dealt Moriarty’s chances a blow but with luck in the run, Waller has no doubt he will make his presence felt.
The dual Listed winner was doing his best work late when fifth in the Wagga Cup last Friday and Waller has no qualms over the five-year-old handling the eight-day turnaround.
“He’s got a good constitution so the trip to Wagga and the run hasn’t worried him at all,” he said.
