Pelicano Targets Perth Cup 2013

December 12, 2012

Pelicano Targets Perth Cup 2013

Angaston-based trainer Tony McEvoy has an ambitious summer plan for his promising four-year-old Pelicano who will race in this weekend’s Werribee Cup as a hopeful lead-up to the 2013 Perth Cup in WA on New Year’s Day.

The Court Of Jewels gelding has been a super consistent force so far winning five and placing in another two of their 11 career starts to date.

After a good third to Niconoise in an 1800m feature on Crown Oaks Day at Flemington second-up, Pelicano went to Ballarat on November 25 and was defeated by the narrowest of margins when beaten just a short half-head by King Diamond in the Listed Ballarat Cup (2200m).

It was a brave performance from the runner-up too who was trapped three deep early before they shot to the front on the straight before just getting edged out on the line.

This Sunday they get the chance to turn the tables on their last start conqueror with both Pelicano and the now Jarrod McLean-trained King Diamond, formerly with Peter Moody, both nominated for the $120,000 Listed Werribee Cup (2600m).

If all goes to plan and Pelicano lives up to their potential on Sunday, when Cox Plate winning hoop Glen Boss jumps aboard, then McEvoy will seriously consider taking them west for the $500,000 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) on January 1, 2013, where they would come face-to-face with the best WA stayers including Railway Stakes winner Mr Moet and last start Kingston Town Classic champ Luckygray.

“The Werribee Cup will be critical to our plans,” McEvoy said.

Adelaide’s leading trainer, McEvoy targeted the Perth Cup two years ago when he sent the always-honest Tara Man to Perth for the 2011 edition of the classic.

The timing was horrible however with WA in the middle of a heatwave which ruined his horse’s chances in the Perth Cup, Tara Man failing to handle the heat eventually finishing a distant 13th when beaten 12 lengths by the winner Guest Wing.

“The day he arrived it was 40C-plus and the heat just kept coming,” McEvoy explained.

“It knocked the stuffing out of the horse.

“The heat combined with a long campaign pushed him over the edge.”

McEvoy then is out to atone in 2013 with Pelicano who he rates as a genuine chance, so long as they can actually get to Perth on time that is.

“The other issue is whether we can get a flight to Perth but I have been assured by Perth Racing there should be one next week,” McEvoy said.

Another horse coming off a run in the Ballarat Cup nominated for the Perth Cup 2013 is Mornington’s Doctor Fremantle, the Sam Pritchard-Gordon trained Sadler’s Wells eight-year-old having run fourth in the Cup last time out.

Having arrived in Australia from New Zealand last winter, Doctor Fremantle actually started their career in England under Sir Michael Stoute who trained them to win two Group 3 and one Group 2 races.

They then spent a year with Lee Freedman in Melbourne where they failed to run better than sixth in five runs, after which they headed across the Tasman.

In New Zealand Doctor Fremantle was trained firstly by Murray & Bjorn Baker and then by Lauren Brennan who rejuvenated the galloper and got him back to his best including a good third to Shez Sinsational in the Group 1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) in December last year.

They have had five runs for Pritchard-Gordon now and the improvement continues with each run giving connections high hopes for the Perth Cup.

The Werribee Cup attracted 13 early entries while the 2013 Perth Cup nominations taken on Tuesday feature 32 stayers.

Stay up-to-date with all the latest summer racing news and updates by bookmarking us right here at Races.com.au.

In the meantime get ready to get behind your favourites at the best prices online at bookmaker.com.au – the only bookie in Australia offering punters the chance to Pick Your Own Odds!

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Re...

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Aus...

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Vibrant Sun just held on in a brave effort showing true grit to salute in the...

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South...

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South Stakes 2024

Seonee rolled up and joined the leader Legacy 150m out from the line before...

2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes Resul...

2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes Results: Skybird Soars to Victory

The Mitchell Freedman-trained filly Skybird has scored an impressive win in...

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes ...

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results: Waller Runs Quinella with Zougotcha and Atishu

Trainer Chris Waller rounded out the Group 1 races at Royal Randwick on...

Race Results

2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Results: Climbing Star Stuns in Local Upset

Vibrant Sun Shines in 2024 Australasian Oaks Results

Seonee Wins Queen Of The South Stakes 2024

2024 Tobin Bronze Stakes Results: Skybird Soars to Victory

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results: Waller Runs Quinella with Zougotcha and Atishu

Race Previews

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Estriella Heads 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Betting Markets

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

Fields & Form

Australasian Oaks 2024 Field & Odds Update: Wings Of Song Favourite

Estriella Heads 2024 Robert Sangster Stakes Field & Betting Markets

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets