A small field and a low weight were enough reasons for Warrnambool trainer Geoff Withers to run Unrealistic in a $125,000 open handicap at Flemington on Saturday.
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With the three-kilogram claim for apprentice jockey Georgina Cartwright, Unrealistic will carry only 51kgs for the hobby trainer in the eight-horse field over 1600 metres.
Unrealistic ran seventh in the Koroit Cup on his home track last Sunday after recovering from a colic operation but Withers had no fears of backing up the six-year-old at Flemington.
“He’s in good shape,” the popular trainer said.
“He’s improved from his first-up run in the Koroit Cup. I’ll be honest I’m not expecting him to win but I think Unrealistic will be competitive.
“He needs the run at Flemington to have him right for the Great Western Cup on January 27 – that’s the race we’ve set him towards. The 1950 metres of the Great Western will suit him.”
Bookmakers rate Unrealistic a $150 outsider for the race.
Aaron Purcell’s Woodford Cup winner Guizot is one of Unrealistic’s rivals, while Purcell also saddles up Snoano and Scherzoso on the nine-race program.
Daniel Bowman, Simon Ryan, Ciaron Maher, Symon Wilde and Matthew Williams have accepted with runners.
Darren Weir’s Warrnambool satellite stable holds a strong hand on the program.
Boom colt Dubious runs for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace in the $2 million Magic Millions Classic for two-year-olds on the Gold Coast.
