Warrnambool Cup or VOBIS Gold Heath toss up for Khoekhoe

An unsuitable barrier at Caulfield or the possibility of a wet track at Warrnambool has Matt Cumani pondering which way to go with his rejuvenated galloper Khoekhoe.

Cumani has two runners in the $175,000 VOBIS Gold Heath (2000m), the other being seven-year-old mare Tycoon Bec who drew barrier two, while Khoekhoe has barrier nine.

“They’ve got the barriers the wrong way around,” Cumani said.

“Especially with Tycoon Bec as we were hoping to go back after the jump.

“We have Khoekhoe also entered for the Warrnambool Cup but Caulfield is more likely at this stage.

Khoekhoe has recently rediscovered the form that saw the now six-year-old take out The Showdown (1200m) for juveniles back in 2020 in, as Cumani puts it, ‘a different race in a different time’.

A second placing in the Mount Gambier Cup (2050m) followed by winning the Terang Cup (2156m) on April 14 has Khoekhoe ready to notch another win depending on the conditions.

“He would be better suited over further but he doesn’t mind Caulfield and the race is within his reach.

“He’s going well and it will be interesting to see how he goes though it is slightly tougher than I had hoped.

“If he gets an easier go at it out in front, he can run a good race.”

Khoekhoe is rated a $10 chance with betting sites for the Gold Heath while Tycoon Bec is at $16 following a third placing in the Wangaratta Cup (2000m).

“I have a hankering to step him up to 2400-metres this preparation,” he added on Khoekhoe.

“I thought we would be doing it a lot earlier but he has been running so well over 2000-metres.

“He’s doing everything right at the moment and not hanging and pulling like he was.

“Whether that sees him get to new height, I’m not sure.”