The McKell Cup will be a litmus test for Lyncean Academy with trainer Guy Walter expecting him to prove he can run a strong 2400 metres and prolong his winter campaign.The talented gelding has had a mixed preparation with feet problems interrupting his program and forcing Walter to place him in races not originally on the agenda.But Lyncean Academy is now fit and well going into Saturday's Rosehill feature and ready to show his best, with the weather the only uncertainty."He is yet to win on any
The McKell Cup will be a litmus test for Lyncean Academy with trainer Guy Walter expecting him to prove he can run a strong 2400 metres and prolong his winter campaign.
The talented gelding has had a mixed preparation with feet problems interrupting his program and forcing Walter to place him in races not originally on the agenda.
But Lyncean Academy is now fit and well going into Saturday's Rosehill feature and ready to show his best, with the weather the only uncertainty.
"He is yet to win on anything worse than slow so if it's heavy that might pose a problem," Walter said.
"He has mixed his form a little bit but that's due to a combination of things.
"He had a couple of foot issues and has mixed his distances a bit.
"Last start may have been due to the back-up and Canterbury seemed to be leader biased that day.
"Although he has been up a while we are hoping he can stay up for races like the remaining winter Cups.
"He looks like a horse who can run 1-1/2 miles (2400m). He showed stamina at Randwick and indicated he was looking for longer."
Lyncean Academy was promoted to second in the JRA Plate (2000m) at Randwick following the disqualification of Keepin' The Dream after finishing less than half a length from the original winner.
He then scored an emphatic win in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury before his last-start sixth in the Lord Mayor's Cup (1900m) won by frontrunner Penrickson at Canterbury on May 16.
The Winter Cup and the Stayers Cup, both over 2400 metres, will be run on June 13 and 30 respectively.
Rosehill was rated a heavy eight on Thursday and an upgrade would help Lyncean Academy who has won twice on slow tracks but failed at two attempts on heavy.
Walter has no concerns about stablemate Mr Incredible on wet ground but has been forced to engage three-kilo claiming apprentice Tim Bell to offset the gelding's 59kg in the Become A Member Handicap (1200m).
"I think he has an excessive weight so we have to claim," Walter said.
"Tim rode him well at Canterbury and I'm sure he will do so again.
"Mr Incredible does like it wet which is one thing in his favour."
Lyncean Academy has won six races over 1600 to 1800 metres from his 25 starts while sprinter Mr Incredible has five wins from 20 starts and two from three attempts on heavy ground.
TAB Sportsbet made Lyncean Academy the $4.80 favourite for the Listed W J McKell Cup in first markets released on Thursday with Music Review and Prince Arthur both at $4 ahead of Ready To Lift at $5.50.
The Gerald Ryan-trained Ready To Lift is on trial for the Group Two Brisbane Cup on Saturday week.
The mare won the Christmas and Summer Cups in December but her best performance in four starts after a spell was third in a 2000m handicap at Flemington on May 9.