Trainer Shaun Ritchie is confident of a good performance from Military Move in this afternoon’s Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2200m) at Brisbane’s Eagle Farm Racecourse, but is not sure if the veteran gelding will find the line in the clear.

Initially geared towards the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) on June 7^th, the son of Volksraad instead travelled to Toowoomba, registering an impressive victory in the featured Toowoomba Cup (2150m) in order to chase a greater prize packet.

Having been allocated the slightly wide barrier 10 for the Tattersall’s Cup, Ritchie said he has been pleased with Military Move’s form leading into this afternoon’s Group 3, but admitted he will need plenty of luck when carrying a race-high weight of 58kgs.

“We decided to downgrade here,” Ritchie said.

“We were planning to run him in the Brisbane Cup, but we just felt that if we had run him in that race he would have been reasonably competitive, but not made much prizemoney.

“The Toowoomba Cup was a $100,000 race and we thought it was well within his range, so we decided to go with the better prizemoney and win that race.

“We thought that the weight wouldn’t be much of a problem against a decent downgrade in quality horse.

“He probably needed to win it to justify a spot in a race like the Tatt’s Cup, but he the weight well up in Toowoomba and won nice.

“He has got to rise again probably, but he is in good order.”

Claiming a total of seven race victories and as many minor places from 37 competitive starts so far, Military Move has been a mainstay in major events in his native New Zealand since first appearing on course for a victory over 1200 metres in the spring of 2009.

Crossing the ditch for the first time this time in, the gelding out of All Night Party was unlucky to be blocked for a run and ninth in the Group 2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) first-up, but displayed a keen turn of foot to finish sixth amongst classy competition in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m) in his only other start prior to the Toowoomba Cup.

Confirmed to be partnered by jockey Ric McMahon, Military Move is currently offered at generous odds of $21 to win the 2014 Tattersall’s Cup, or $5.10 to run a place at Ladbrokes.com.au.

Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best odds on all Eagle Farm races today, including the Group 3 Tatt’s Cup!