Under the Bridge Over the Water for Hobart Cup
- Tuesday, 01 February 2005 00:00
Caulfield trainer Tony Vasil remains confident his talented four-year-old Under The Bridge will make the trip to Tasmania for the AAMI Hobart Cup in a fortnight despite finishing unplaced in the Tauto Welter over 1720m at Flemington on Saturday.
Under The Bridge raced midfield and ran on fairly to finish sixth but less than two lengths from the winner.
“The Hobart Cup has always been on this horse’s agenda and his run on Saturday at Flemington was a lot better than it looks on paper,” Vasil said.
“He raced on the worst part of the track in the home straight and hasn’t finished all that far from the winner,” he said.
“He is a better horse at 2000m than 1700m and I know that 300m sounds like I’m splitting straws but he will be definitely suited to the 2100m of the Hobart Cup,” he said.
Vasil also has not discounted the possibility of a two-pronged attack with his lightly weighted Close Encounters still a chance to make the trip across Bass Strait.
While Under The Bridge is top weight with 57kg in the Hobart Cup, Close Encounter is well in with 51.5kg.
“Close Encounter is a rough chance of coming. He finished last at Sandown recently but we have to forget the run because he’s better than that and he’ll run next Saturday to determine whether or not he makes the trip to Tassie,” Vasil said.
Meanwhile SA trainer Tony McEvoy confirmed You Little Beaut a definite starter in the AAMI Hobart Cup following his encouraging second to Party Pie at Moonee Valley last Saturday week.
McEvoy also said his lightly raced Zabeel mare Zingo was still a chance to make the trip despite missing a race at Flemington last Saturday because of a leg problem.
“Zingo developed a leg infection and I had to treat it and that’s why she didn’t run in the Kensington Stakes on Saturday,” McEvoy said.
“She doesn’t particularly have to have another run to be a chance to run in the Hobart Cup,” he said.
Last season’s Tasmanian Horse of the Year Riley Redwing returned to something near his best to win the Ingham Jockey Club Cup over 2100m at Elwick on Sunday to signal his emergence as a definite AAMI Hobart Cup prospect.
The Royston Carr-trained gelding was having his fourth run back from a spell and after trailing the leader Speechmaker to the home turn the flashy chestnut eased off heels and powered home to score impressively.
“I was confident the horse was nearing his best but today was the test and he’s come through with flying colours,” Carr said.
“We’ll definitely head to the Hobart Cup and all being well he’ll also tackle the Launceston Cup,” he said.
Riley Redwing carried top weight of 58.5kg on Sunday and will have the luxury of 53kg in the AAMI Hobart Cup, as he did not incur a penalty from the handicapper for Sunday’s win.
However, the Dan O’Sullivan-trained Special Scene has incurred a 1.5kg penalty for winning the Gurner’s Lane Handicap over 2540m at Flemington on Saturday.
Special Scene was impressive in winning on Saturday carrying 53.5kg with apprentice Brady Cross in the saddle and with the penalty will line up in the AAMI Hobart Cup with only 52.5kg should O’Sullivan choose to accept.
First acceptances were taken for the AAMI Hobart Cup last Friday and 38 horses remain in contention.
Media Release - AAMI Hobart Cup
