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Tasmania’s top stayer Eastender will have his next start at Caulfield on Saturday despite reservations by his jockey Craig Newitt about how the big gelding will adapt to the track.
Eastender is set to start in Saturday's $135,000 Banjo Paterson Series heat over 2400m as his lead-up to the $400,000 Andrew Ramsden Stakes over 2800m at Flemington on May 25.
The Andrew Ramsden is a career defining race for Eastender as it provides the winner with ballot free entry to the $7.3 million Melbourne Cup in November.
The Barry Campbell-trained 5YO has won his last five starts that include his historic treble in the Devonport, Hobart and Launceston Cups, becoming the first horse to win the three races since 1977.
He completed the sequence at Spreyton on April 28 when he carried 65kg to a gutsy win over 1880m at his first start since he won the Launceston Cup over 2400m on February 27.
Campbell took Eastender to Adelaide after the Launceston Cup but it became a fruitless trip after South Australian stewards ordered his scratching from the Adelaide Cup on race morning on March 11.
Stewards ordered the scratchging after a race morning stable raid, alleging that the Devonport trainer had breached treatment rules. An inquiry into the circumstances is yet to be finalised.
Newitt has a perfect understanding of Eastender, having ridden the gelding in 12 of his last 13 starts, and has admitted the stayer won’t be suited by the Caulfield circuit on Saturday.
"He'll run good but I know he'll be absolutely spot on for the race at Flemington on May 25,” Newitt said.
Newitt fears Caulfield can work against Easternder’s racing style compared to the long home straight at Flemington.
In his latest win Eastender spotted his rivals six lengths on the home turn but charged late under his 65kg to win in a photo finish with the runner-up carrying 11kg less weight.
"Another horse wouldn't have won but Eastender has that action where he stretches his head out as far as he can,” Newitt said.
"He'd done no work out the back but when they sprinted he was just laboring a bit with the weight. I gave him one hit down the shoulder and the last 100m he really lengthened."
