In-form hoop Tim Clark fully believes the record, draw and talent of his QTC Cup mount Sincero will see the gun three-year-old fly to victory at Eagle Farm tomorrow and snap up their spot in the upcoming $1 million Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
QTC Cup favourite Sincero is one of Tim Clark's best rides on Queensland Oaks Day
Prepared by Wyong horseman Stephen “Crusher” Farley, Umatilla gelding Sincero comes into the $175,000 Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) tomorrow on the back of a blistering six straight win streak.
First-up this prep the talented youngster blew their rivals away to win the Listed Gosford Guineas (1200m) by a comprehensive five lengths on Anzac Day before their most recent win in the $250,000 Inglis 3YO Guineas over the mile at Scone.
This ultra consistent record has seen Sincero open the short-priced $2.80 favourite for the QTC Cup, the runner also advantaging from the big drop back in weights from the 56.5kg they carried at Scone to just 52.5kg.
Sincero is also the dominant $5 favourite in the early Stradbroke Handicap markets for Saturday week, despite the boom galloper just being on the edge of making the lucrative race field.
In the latest Stradbroke Handicap ballot, Sincero sits 19th on the order of entry.
While a few likely non-acceptors for the rich sprint may see him sneak into the field, Farley doesn’t want to take any chances and has his fingers crossed Sincero will earn the Stradbroke ballot exemption through a QTC Cup victory.
Sincero has arrived safely in Queensland, residing at Deagon after travelling up on Thursday afternoon.
“He arrived in Deagon about quarter past four on Friday morning,” Farley said.
“It was a pretty good trip up, no dramas, a very very good run.”
Farley is happy with how well Sincero travelled and said the horse was looking fit and fresh for their sunshine state debut.
“He’s a very laid back horse,” Farley said.
“He’s used to travelling.
“He has had three weeks between runs with a gallop last Saturday at home and he worked very, very good.”
With Sincero dropping back to 1300m tomorrow from the mile at Scone, Farley has made sure to keep a little bit of freshness in their legs.
The trainer said at first he was a little disappointed with the inside alley that Sincero drew for the QTC Cup, saying Clark would have a bit of work to do with such a large field.
“It’s not ideal (barrier one), but it’s better than 21,” Farley said.
He also said he envisaged Sincero to settle just off the pace tomorrow from that barrier.
“(Clark) will probably get him four or five on the fence,” he said.
“He will need a little bit of luck coming into the corner.”
With the Stradbroke back-up likely just seven days later, however, Farley also said that the QTC Cup draw would ensure the horse didn’t have to do too much work before tackling a Group 1.
“It’s probably going to help him not have a gut-busting run tomorrow,” he said.
Clark also expressed similar sentiments over the QTC Cup draw as Farley, and is excited to have the ride, but will be replaced by Glen Boss who will take the reins for the Stradbroke.
“I’d rather draw where he has in barrier one than come up with 21,” he said.
“I’ll just try and give him plenty of galloping room from the turn and hopefully his ability gets him over the top of them.”
Clark said he had also talked to Sincero’s regular rider Chris O’Brien, unable to make the weight for the QTC Cup or Stradbroke, to get some tips on how to best ride the horse.
“I’ve had a bit of a chat to Chris (O’Brien), I get on well with him, and he gave me a good insight into the horse,” Clark said.
“He doesn’t seem too complicated and there’s no need to complicate things.
“I’ll try and ride him to his normal pattern and give him a clear shot at them.
“I’m pretty confident I’m on the best horse in the race.”
Queensland Oaks Day is shaping up as a beauty for jockey Tim Clark, who aside from Sincero, has five other rides on the Eagle Farm card and will be looking to score some big wins in Brissie to add to his impressive 55 ½ city wins in Sydney so far this season.
One of Clark’s other leading rides of the day will be aboard the Chris Waller-trained Savannah’s Choice in the feature event at the meet, the $400,000 Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2400m).
Drawn mid-field in barrier 10, well-bred Redoute’s Choice filly Savannah’s Choice is paying $17 to upset Oaks favourite Scarlett Lady ($3.40) tomorrow following her recent promising form.
Savannah’s Choice comes off three second place runs including her most recent when three quarters of a length away from winner Scarlett Lady in the Group 3 The Roses (2020m) at Doomben on May 21.
“She ran really well last start,” Clark said of Savannah’s Choice in The Roses.
“Obviously the filly that beat her the other day is the favourite and she measured up pretty well against her.
“She gives the impression she’ll run the trip no worries so she looks to be a decent chance in the race.”
