Distance rise to favour Franz Josef in Ladies Day Cup

A rousing trackwork gallop has Gerald Ryan optimistic Franz Josef can improve on his first-up effort and play a role in the Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury.

The son of Snitzel found his rivals too sharp when finishing down the track behind Ostraka in the Silver Eagle (1300m) last month, but Ryan expected the step up to 1500m on Thursday to be ideal at this stage of his preparation.

“He has trained on terrific and he worked sensationally on (Friday) morning,” Ryan said.

“He was alright first-up. It was 1300 metres and it was way too short for him.

“He will go to Hawkesbury in the Ladies Day Cup where he drops a couple of kilos and gets back up to 1500 metres.”

Franz Josef has won four of his seven starts and is unbeaten in two second-up runs.

Winx’s half-sister City Of Lights will line up in the same race after failing to fire during a hit-and-run visit to Melbourne.

Prior to that, she had finished a closing fourth in the Tibbie Stakes (1400m) at Newcastle and trainer Joe Pride has made a key gear change in his quest for some valuable black-type.

“She was disappointing around Caulfield,” Pride said.

“I don’t know if it’s the Melbourne way or just Caulfield on that day, but I’m happy to keep her away from Melbourne and she can race here.

“It’s a big opportunity for her to get a stakes win or placing.

“She has been super since she got back and gets blinkers first time.”

Jason Collett rides City Of Lights from barrier six, while Franz Josef will have the services of Jay Ford from barrier nine.