3 minute read
The depth of Tasmania’s staying ranks has never been as shallow, which is why Hall of Fame trainer Barry Campbell will “test the water” with his promising mare Assaranca in Launceston on Sunday.
Assaranca is a last-start winner over 1600 metres and after the race her rider Anthony Darmanin said she felt more like a stayer during the race, so armed with that intel, Barry Campbell is having a throw at the stumps in the Armidale Stud Sydeston Cup over 2100m.
"The mare has matured a lot and now that she relaxes in her races and is showing good stamina, we might as well see if she can run out a strong 2100 metres," Campbell said.
"She is bred to get a trip and she will go into the Sydeston Cup very fit, and she will appreciate carrying the minimum weight (54kg) because she's been lugging big weights in benchmark races.
"If she does well on Sunday, we will have a look at heading to the Launceston Cup (2400m)."
The Sydeston Cup is not overly strong with the out-of-form White Hawk top weight with 59kg and except for Vallabar (55.5kg) and So Astounding (54.5kg), the remaining runners will carry the minimum of 54kg.
I'm So Cool shows staying promise and his trainer Tegan Keys is hoping the four-year-old can measure up and head to the Launceston Cup.
The Alpine Eagle four-year-old won a benchmark 68 over 2100m in Hobart last preparation (July) and after leading in the weight-for-age Summer Cup in Hobart last start to finish a game third, he would only need to replicate that form to be a strong winning chance on Sunday.
Keys also saddles up last season's St Leger winner So Astounding, that comes off a last-start ninth of 11 to Swoop Dog in the Summer Cup (2200m) and would need to lift to make an impact.
Last Season's Strutt Stakes winner and Tasmanian Oaks placegetter Miss Charlie Brown has been reasonably competitive in benchmark 70-72 races at her only two starts over 1400m and 1600m this time in and will appreciate stepping out to a more suitable distance.
Super Swoop broke through for an overdue win last start in a benchmark 68 over 2150m in Launceston and while the margin was narrow, the eight-year-old from the John Blacker yard has been in good form and warrants respect.
