Taylor happy with Ginnivan in the Jolly Beggar Stakes

There’s nothing in trainer Jim Taylor’s thinking that says Ginnivan can’t continue his excellent winning form at Belmont on Saturday.

The son of Universal Ruler has relished the wet going at Belmont this preparation and is at short odds to make it a winning hat trick in the Jolly Beggar Stakes (1000m).

The speedy gelding faces a steep test, but has drawn well, drops weight and can draw confidence from his strong win last start.

Ginnivan led, was taken on by Ain’t No Other Man, absorbed the pressure and with 59kg on his back, drew clear to score by 1 ½ lengths.

“It was a good effort and showed he is probably getting stronger,” JimTaylor said on Tabradio.

“He always runs fast and to absorb the pressure and then kick away was a good effort.

“This looks a nice race for him and he’s well weighted.

“He always seemed to struggle when he got over 57 ½ kg, he could win well with 56kg, but if he jumped to 58kg he would struggle.

“He’s not a big horse and when he’s been down on the lighter weight, he has run his best time and best races.

“He’s a Universal Ruler who loves the wet and I was very happy with the rain this morning (Friday) in town.”

Ginnivan jumps from barrier two with Jason Brown renewing his acquaintance after successfully steering him home to victory two starts back.

Taylor expects Ginnivan to hold out Beaufine Stakes victor, Puli for the lead, with the fast eight-year-old drawn in gate four for Laqdar Ramoly.

“If Puli drew inside us, he (Ginnivan) could sit outside him, because he can race well like that,” Taylor said.

“With his natural pace and on the minimum, I’d think he would lead Puli pretty easily.”

Punters are right behind Ginnivan; he’s tightened into $1.70 after he opened $1.85 on Wednesday with online bookmakers.

Supersession from the inform Adam Durrant stable and with the services of William Pike is on the second line at $4 with betting apps.

Geraldton’s Batavia Sprint (1200m) winner is first up, as is Go Forward, next at $8.

Go Forward and Titan Blinders, searching for his first win in WA at start 21 in the west, is one of two runners in the seven horse field for trainers Chris and Michael Gangemi.