Glen Thompson eyes Cup path with Whisky On The Hill
Glen Thompson has appreciated the Melbourne downpours and potential for more, as he pursues a Melbourne Cup position via Whisky On The Hill.
Saturday's Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington provides a direct entry pass to the Melbourne Cup (3200m) at the same track in November for any winner.
Among 13 starters, Whisky On The Hill seeks that prize, but his trainer acknowledges the preparation for the weekend hasn't been optimal.
Fourth start this campaign, the gelding arrives off a sixth to Birdman in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on March 14.
Beforehand, a midfield placing in the Australian Cup Prelude (2000m) seven days prior, following a solid fifth over 1600m at Caulfield upon return on February 7, four weeks earlier.
The target of Saturday emerged post Whisky On The Hill's triumph in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) during Flemington's Melbourne Cup carnival.
"It's been the plan since the time he came in, but we haven't had the smoothest of preps," Thompson said.
"He missed a run early on which really put us on the backfoot.
It's unfortunate the programming here isn't ideal to get to a race like this as there was no ideal lead-up, only a 2000-metre race three weeks beforehand.
He was supposed to run over 2000-metres at Caulfield two weeks before the Flemington race, but he pulled a shoe off and stood on a nail, so he missed that run.
We ran him at Flemington and I couldn't go third-up into a 2600-metre race, so I dropped him back in distance and ran in the Peter Young.
He's fit enough for it. He wouldn't be running if I didn't think he was.
The bit of rain forecast is ideal, it doesn't look an overly strong race, but he hasn't had the perfect prep for it."
Should conditions soften further, Thompson indicated the Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 11 at Randwick could suit Whisky On The Hill.
"I tossed up about aborting this race before the 1800-metre at Caulfield and running in the Manion Cup in Sydney, but then he's got this 2600-metre run under the belt if we do decide to go to Sydney," Thompson said.
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