Precedence soars to No.1 Cups contender for Bart

BART Cummings' stable foreman Reg Fleming rates him the stable's No. 1 cups chance this spring but Precedence was last night still stranded outside the field for next month's Caulfield Cup despite his convincing win in the JRA Cup at the opening of the night racing season at Moonee Valley, reports The Age.It says: On a night where West Australian sprinter Hay List confirmed his high rating with a stunning first group 1 win in the Manikato Stakes, Precedence ($3.20 favourite) showed he had contin

BART Cummings' stable foreman Reg Fleming rates him the stable's No. 1 cups chance this spring but Precedence was last night still stranded outside the field for next month's Caulfield Cup despite his convincing win in the JRA Cup at the opening of the night racing season at Moonee Valley, reports The Age.

It says: On a night where West Australian sprinter Hay List confirmed his high rating with a stunning first group 1 win in the Manikato Stakes, Precedence ($3.20 favourite) showed he had continued his improvement from the autumn when he swept home late last night to claim his first win of the campaign in the $200,000 group 3 race.

Although he is likely to be re-handicapped 1.5 kilograms for last night's victory, he will only rise from equal 42nd to 34th in order for the 18-horse Caulfield Cup field on October 16.

Chief handicapper Greg Carpenter will announce a penalty on Monday but he is most unlikely to go beyond 1.5 kilograms. Precedence, therefore, is likely to have to win the group 2 Herbert Power Handicap on October 9 to secure his Caulfield Cup spot but Fleming said last night the stable were wary he might not be able to back up seven days later and produce his best effort.

''We don't want to [back up] and I'm not sure what the boss will want to do, but he's a real cups horse this one,'' Fleming said. ''Last time in he got pulling in his races but as long as he doesn't go back to that, he's on the right track.''

Asked where he stood as far as the stable's best chances of taking one of the big cups, Fleming replied: ''He's No. 1 as far as I'm concerned.''

Jockey Michael Rodd said third-placed Linton was still learning but had no doubt he had the ability to mix it with the best. ''He's the real deal but he's got a bit to learn,'' he noted.

Mark Zahra said he felt fifth-placed Alcopop was back on track for the cups after two ordinary runs to start his campaign. ''He was just getting warm on the line. It was a very good run,'' Zahra said.