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Waller Hopeful of Torgersen in Frank Packer Plate
Torgersen failed to fire when tenth in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) a fortnight ago, but trainer Chris Waller is hopeful a drop back in distance and class will see a return to form for the colt in Saturday’s Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick.
Torgersen will line up for Saturday’s Group 3 Frank Packer Plate at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart
Torgersen returned from a freshen-up this time for consecutive eighth place finishes in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) and Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m), but maintaining a position at the rear of the field and seventh in the Group 2 Phar Lap Stakes (1500m) on March 12th.
While appearing to have improved drastically when charging home for second behind Old North in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) on March 26th, Torgersen clearly did not handle the trip, class or conditions of the Australian Derby and beat only a few runners home.
Waller told Racing Ahead the son of Pins will face gelding should he not perform in the 2016 Frank Packer Plate, but is hopeful the three-year-old will return to form under the conditions of the race.
“I think, distance, the track and class, the whole combination,” Waller said.
“The thing to point out about his form is he’s only had one good run this whole preparation.
“He might be getting gelded after tomorrow, not saying he can’t bounce back but he’s a hard one for the punters to follow.”
Torgersen has produced a number of good performances between lacklustre meets since debuting to racing in mid-2015, and has so-far posted three wins and two minors through his thirteen competitive starts.
Running fourth in the More Than Winning Maiden (1300m) upon resuming in spring, Torgersen broke through for a maiden win in the TAB Rewards Maiden (1300m) a fortnight later but failed to beat a single runner home in the Vili’s Pies BM66 (1580m) in his next start.
Returning to competitive form when second in the Schweppes BM70 (1550m) on November 7th, Torgersen won each of the Might And Power BM72 (1400m) Clubsnsw 3.y.o Plate (1400m) in succession before returning to the paddock for a brief spell.
Torgersen will leave from the ideal barrier 3 in the Frank Packer Plate with leading hoop Hugh Bowman in the saddle.
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2016 Frank Packer Plate odds, for which Torgersen can be taken at a quote of $9 for success.
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