3 minute read

Ecuador should kick things off on a winning note for favourite punters at Rosehill in the Australian Turf Club Handicap.

The Gai Waterhouse-trained runner overcame a setback earlier in his campaign when posting a determined win at this track and trip 14 days ago.

An elevated temperature which initially delayed the start to his autumn campaign is now a distant memory second up in the Australian Turf Club Benchmark Handicap (1400m).

Ecuador will have taken plenty of benefit from his first up outing over 1400m and looks poised to claim a second straight win heading into the autumn features.

His first up display returned a Timeform figure of 105 and anticipated improvement with added fitness second up should see him hard to beat.

Waterhouse has seemingly found an ideal race for the son of High Chaparral second up.

As well as added fitness second run from a spell, the rail being out six metres and a small field possessing compressed weights also auger well for Ecuador’s chances of consecutive wins.

Nominated for both the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, it is essential for Ecuador to improve on his current Benchmark rating of 92.

In achieving this, expect the four-year-old on Saturday to be prominent throughout.

With stablemates Almighty Charge and The Offer in the race, Ecuador may settle in the lead or as far back as third.

Outside of the Gai Waterhouse pair of Ecuador and Almighty Charge, early speed in the contest appears minimal which should allow those from Tulloch Lodge to dictate terms and get away with cheap sectionals up front.

After opening at $1.80, Ecuador has actually drifted marginally and near even money is available about him.

It appears worth taking.

There appear to be a few good each way plays later in the program.

In the first leg of the quadrella, Bayrir might be ready to produce something in the Parramatta Cup (1900m).

The French import has not performed at his best since arriving on Australian shores but did show encouraging signs in an unsuitable race at Randwick last start.

Over a mile under 61kg, Bayrir was working home solidly.

He will strip fitter third up and the rise in distance will be ideal suggesting the son of Medicean can build upon a Timeform figure of 112 run to last start.

Weights in the event are compressed and Bayrir arguably has a greater sense of timing about him than most in the field.

Race favourite Junoob is untried against this level of opposition while fellow Waller-trained runners Permit and Opinion will likely be in dire need of this outing.

Chris Waller’s imports generally begin to really hit their straps during their second preparations in Australia under the leading horseman and Saturday’s Parramatta Cup looks a contest where Bayrir can build on encouraging signs shown last start.

Lonace resumes off a lengthy spell in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1200m).

Now a five-year-old, Lonace was last seen winning at this track on Boxing Day of 2012.

Whilst obviously talented, such a lengthy absence suggests the gelding has endured his fair share of issues.

Lonace sits three pounds outside of the handicap and considering all of the queries the son of Lonhro brings into this contest, $3.80 doesn’t appear worth taking.

Use the wait and see approach for now.

Sydney Specials

Banker: R1, #2 Ecuador @ $1.95

Play Of The Day: R5, #3 Bayrir @ $13

Lay Of The Day: R2, #7 Lonace @ $3.80