Talented jockey Nikita Beriman and a good barrier draw should help offset a big weight for Lightinthenite in the $25,000 Dunkeld Cup today, according to Warrnambool trainer Jarrod McLean.
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The top weight will carry 61.5 kilograms in the 1800-metre race, giving his rivals two-and-a-half kilograms or more, but McLean believes the seven-year-old is up to the task.
“Lightinthenite has been running well in stronger class,” McLean said.
“I thought his run in the listed race at Flemington last week was very good and before that he was just over three lengths behind them in the Seymour Cup.
“This is an easier race but he’s had a big jump in weight. I’m sure having Nikita riding him will help our chances.
“She’s a good aggressive rider who is under-rated. We’ve drawn a good barrier (four) and should race handy in the run which should help our chances.”
Lightinthenite, which was formerly trained in Darwin by Gary Clarke, might head to the spelling paddock after today’s outing in the feature race on the eight-race card.
“We’ll just see how he performs. I reckon he might have a break following this run,” McLean said.
“He’s been running well without any luck. He deserves a change in luck.
“We’ll probably get him ready for a race at the Warrnambool May carnival before looking at a race at the Swan Hill carnival in June. The long-term aim is for Lightinthenite to head back up to Gary for the Darwin Cup in August.”
Orientaped, trained by Warrnambool’s Mitch Freedman, looms as a likely danger in the cup following his unplaced run in stronger company at Flemington last week.
The nine-year-old won the Coleraine Cup at his previous outing.
Mount Gambier visitor Gatalistic will be aiming to win make it back-to-back cups when Darren Kolpin saddles up the seven-year-old in the race which will be run at 4.20 pm.
Meanwhile, Western District-trained gallopers Lord Wimble, Me Hungi and Smarty Mac will run in the $50,000 Donald Cup tomorrow.
