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Vilakazi Street A Live Chance In The Goulburn Cup

3 minute read

Canberra based trainer Keith Dryden well make the drive to Goulburn this afternoon quite confident his consistent galloper Vilakazi Street can feature in the finish in this afternoon's Goulburn Cup.

Vilakazi Street<br>Photo by Racing and Sports
Vilakazi Street
Photo by Racing and Sports

Despite finishing unplaced in his last four starts since resuming, Dryden feels he has found the right race for Vilakazi Street to break back into the winner's stall following his midfield finish behind Arinosa in the Greys' race at Flemington last start.

"I think his form has been solid this time in, he's in the right race down on the minimum for his first attempt at the mile, Dryden said.

"I was happy enough with his run in Melbourne the other day, he finished eighth but was only beaten four lengths with the big weight so I think off that performance he should be competitive on Sunday."

Stepping up to the mile for the first time in his career, Dryden remains hopeful the son of Johannesburg will be able to see out the trip.

"He seems to be finishing off his 1400m races strong when has been ridden a bit quieter," Dryden said.

"Over 1400m at Melbourne last start he really started to do his best work over the last 150m so I that gave me a good indication that he should see out the mile.

"It's the old story if you never never go you'll never never know."

While Dryden admits it is a big step up in grade, he feels Vilakazi Street's biggest advantage will be the significant drop back in weight from his last start.

"He's only little and he really struggles to carry the big weight," Dryden said.

"The first thing Corey Brown told me when he got off him at Flemington was that he just couldn't sprint with the big weight so hopefully he'll run a nice race.

"When you look at him being compared to horses at the weights like Bay Window he's probably not that well weighted but we can't have everything, we are in the race on the minimum and I am happy enough with him."

Apprentice rider John Kissick will link back aboard the six-year-old having returned from an injury earlier this month.

"Johnny [John Kissick] has won on him before and he's just coming back from injury and is riding very well so I'm more than happy to have him on board," Dryden said.

Proving ultra consistent throughout his career, Vilakazi Street has placed at 18 of his 29 career starts including seven of his last eleven with Dryden admitting he is every trainer's dream.

"He's been a terrific little horse for us, as I told a bloke the other day if every horse you owned was as good as him you'd go to your grave a happy owner," Dryden said.


Racing and Sports

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