Trainer Dan O’Sullivan is confident Tuscan Fire has made the necessary fitness improvement to break a 16-month drought in Saturday’s $80,000 Western Health Cup (2000m) at Flemington.
Beaten into fifth position as favourite last start in the $200,000 Listed Ballarat Cup(2200m), the seven-year-old will once again tackle the placegetters – At First Sight (2nd) and Fat Al (3rd) – from that race on Saturday.
Far from disappointed by Tuscan Fire’s run in the Ballarat Cup, O’Sullivan said he was confident the gelding could turn the tables back at Flemington on Saturday.
“I thought his run in the Ballarat Cup was terrific. He loomed up like the winner but it might have been the weight or he might just not have been rock-hard fit enough for the 2200m,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think my horse has plenty of fitness improvement to come where as Fat Al and At First Sight might have been right at their peak.
“It’s going to be an even race and we’re certainly not going to be a good thing but we’re going to be one of the main chances again.”
Originally planning to head towards Sunday’s $120,000 Listed Werribee Classic(2600m), O’Sullivan said he felt Saturday’s race suited Tuscan Fire’s preparation better. (Racing Victoria)