Clarken aims for third Murray Bridge Cup with Cicala
Trainer Will Clarken is targeting his third triumph in the main event at Murray Bridge.
Having previously celebrated wins with Agreeable in 2022 and Cartoon Graveyard in the preceding year, Clarken, who now trains with Charlotte Sorby, will present Cicala for the Listed Murray Bridge Gold Cup (1600m) this Saturday. Cicala's recent performance included a closing fourth in the Listed Balaklava Cup (1600m), a race where the mare competed at the 1600m distance for the first time under Jamie Melham's guidance. Rochelle Milnes is set to resume her partnership with the five-year-old mare for the upcoming event.
While Cicala was initially a specialist over shorter distances, winning races from 1050m to 1200m early in her career, she has progressively adapted to longer races with age.
"It's very open and that's the standard of horse they are," stated Clarken. "There doesn't seem to be anything that is on the way up and we have probably seen their PB's in life. Air Assault is clearly the best horse in the race, but he has to carry the best horse's weight all the time because his rating is so high. My mare, I reckon if Jamie had her time again, she would show a bit more urgency out of the gates, and I think she should have run second and made a good fist of the mile. Second time at the mile (on Saturday), she might be a bit more seasoned, and it will be interesting to see if she can find a length or so."
Milnes will need to contend with barrier 17 on Saturday.
Clarken indicated that there is considerable speed drawn near his mare.
"There's three ways of doing it," Clarken said. "We throw caution to the wind and roll forward as the speed is around us. My cousin's horse, Bootlegger (Dan Clarken), he'll go forward and the topweight, Air Assault, it'll roll forward, and all three have drawn out there. We can either go with them, or we grad hold and try and get back in three-wide line with a bit of cover. There is rain predicted and if it does come, that could help horses getting off the rail in the home straight."
Those interested in the racing betting markets for this event will find a wide selection on Australian betting sites.
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