Right Fong On Song For Perth Cup
- Thursday, 31 December 2009 06:54
Victorian jockey Mark Pegus believes Right Fong is spot-on for the $400,000 Group Two Perth Cup at Ascot on New Year's Day.
Pegus and the David Balfour-trained Right Fong have proven to be a successful combination, winning two of their last three starts together.
The South Australian-trained six-year-old comes into the 2400-metre feature after rocketing home to beat Playwright by a short neck at Flemington over 2000 metres on December 12.
"His work here in Perth has been exactly what we wanted and with a bit of luck, Right Fong should be right in the finish," Pegus told perthracing.com.au.
"The way he hit the line defeating Playwright was very impressive.
"We will come into barrier 13 and David was hoping to draw out toward the middle of the track. Hopefully I can slot in somewhere and come with a late run."
Two starts back Right Fong was fourth to Road Worker over 1800 metres at his home track of Morphettville on November 21.
That run came a few weeks after he scored at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day in the Listed Johnnie Walker Stakes (1800m).
"After he won on Melbourne Cup day at Flemington, we didn't have him completely right at Morphettville," Pegus said.
"It had been really hot in Adelaide and David was mindful of his next start at Flemington and also had the Perth Cup in the plan.
"We had to ride him too close to the pace and he hit the lead too early at Adelaide."
On Cup day, Pegus was able to give Right Fong a quiet ride and the horse subsequently powered to the line.
"I was able to get him into the three-wide line with cover and held him up for the last run at them," Pegus said.
Pegus walked the track on Thursday and is booked for a couple rides for trainer Anthony Oram leading up to the Cup.
"By race time I will have a handle on the track and I am looking forward to riding in such a famous race," Pegus said.
TAB Sportsbet has Lords Ransom as its fixed odds favourite at $3.50 ahead of Gondorff at $7 and Ma Chienne and Right Fong at $7.50.
The Paul Perry-trained 2008 Metropolitan Handicap winner Newport is rated a $10 chance.
Picture - Quentin Lang