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Trainer Terry Robinson would love a third shot at The Kosciuszko with 2021 winner Art Cadeau but he says it’s up to the horse to prove to him – and the public – he’s worthy with a good performance at Randwick on Saturday.
The six-year-old has only raced twice since he finished fifth in the $2 million feature for country horses back in October.
He was the rising star of country racing with his 2021 Country Championships and Kosciuszko wins and Terry Robinson said, with plenty of new kids on the block eyeing the Kosciuszko, Saturday's Listed $160,000 Drinkwise Civic Stakes (1400m) is an important race for Art Cadeau.
"I'd like to have another crack at The Kosciuszko to be honest," Robinson said.
"I thought last year he was going better than the year before but he pulled up lame and with a black eye so he had a bit of an excuse. He had a couple of issues and that's why he had a decent spell.
"There's a few up and coming horses around that are going good so you've got to be in form and I'd like to see something of his old form on Saturday."
Art Cadeau is on the $15 line in TAB's all-in market on The Kosciuszko with defending champ Front Page sharing favouritism at $6 with Opal Ridge and Mogo Magic.
The $5 tickets are due to go on sale soon for the 2023 Kosciuszko sweepstakes so a return to form would be timely to impress prospective slot holders.
Robinson is prepared to forgive the gelding's second-up performance a month ago where he finished 11th behind Cisco Bay over the 1400m at Randwick and revealed a "touch of a virus" has kept him away from the track for a month.
But he's confident we'll see a much improved showing from Art Cadeau, $16 with TAB on Thursday, in the Civic.
"He did get caught three deep in a fast run race second-up, he was only beaten four and a half lengths, so it was a bit better than it looks,'' he said.
"I've got to say I was a little disappointed but not when you sit down and watch it again and see how quick they went. I thought the run was okay.
"I put the visor on, I thought he may need a little bit of help and it seems to have sharpened him up. He's drawn a good marble and we'll see how he goes and work out a plan after that."
Stablemate Marcassin has been dealt a blow with another wide barrier as he chases an elusive TAB Highway (1400m) win on Saturday.
The five-year-old has now had four starts since an almost two year break with his best effort a closing third, off a wide gate, behind Demitasse in a similar Highway a month ago.
He sat deep, closer to the pace, when finishing midfield behind Cliff House at the last Randwick meeting.
"I thought back to a Class 2 it would be his race but it makes it hard from that barrier,'' Robinson said.
"It'll be up to Jason (Collett) and how he jumps to work out what to do. We're very happy with the horse otherwise, we just need a bit of luck."
