LEADING Perth trainer Mark Reed was yesterday maintaining that while he was deflated by the barrier draw for his Perth Cup favourite Kincaple he was confident Melbourne-based jockey Dwayne Dunn could offset the awkward position, reports The Age. It says: The former Victorian stayer drew barrier 18 in Saturday's group 2 Perth Cup (2400 metres) with Reed admitting that the barrier and a four-kilogram rise to 56, caused by the withdrawal of initial topweight Ranger, would have a significant impact
LEADING Perth trainer Mark Reed was yesterday maintaining that while he was deflated by the barrier draw for his Perth Cup favourite Kincaple he was confident Melbourne-based jockey Dwayne Dunn could offset the awkward position, reports The Age.
It says: The former Victorian stayer drew barrier 18 in Saturday's group 2 Perth Cup (2400 metres) with Reed admitting that the barrier and a four-kilogram rise to 56, caused by the withdrawal of initial topweight Ranger, would have a significant impact on Kincaple's claims.
He said he would rely on the magic of Dunn, who also rode Kincaple in the CB Cox Stakes. ''We've got an extra four kilograms and now we've drawn 18,'' Reed said. ''It just makes it real tough. We were going to meet Tranquillity on equal weights but now we've got to give her 3.5 kilograms. She looks really well in on the weights.
''I'm happy with the horse but I was a lot happier with Ranger in the race.''
Kincaple firmed to favouritism with bookmakers after his strong second to God Has Spoken in last Saturday week's CB Cox Stakes (2100 metres) and remained at the top of the market at $3.50 despite the draw. Tranquillity, the second favourite at $6.50, fared much better with barrier eight but several other leading chances drew wide.
Former Melbourne stayer Lopov, set for a first-up Perth Cup by trainer Simon Miller, drew 20 in the final field of 16 plus four emergencies. (www.theage.com.au).