WARRNAMBOOL jumper Golden Flag has been scratched from a maiden hurdle at Hamilton on Thursday, to be saved for Sunday's maiden hurdle at Casterton, according to his trainer Patrick Ryan.
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Hamilton hosts four jumping races on its ten race program with two maiden hurdles set down for decision while Casterton has three jumping races including a maiden hurdle at its cup meeting.
Ryan rates the Casterton hurdle an easier jumping option for Golden Flag.
"The hurdle at Hamilton is an open maiden while the Casterton one is a restricted maiden," Ryan said.
"I think the Hamilton maiden was tougher with handy flat horses like Andrea Mantegna and Ayers Rock running.
"The Casterton hurdle is over 3480 metres, which I think we'll really suit Golden Flag.
"I thought his effort to run third in the maiden hurdle at the Warrnambool Carnival was good and he appears very bright and well following that performance."
Ryan trained Golden Flag to win a high-weight flat race at Warrnambool in February.
The opening race at Hamilton is scheduled to start at 11.10 am while the last race is set down for 4.30pm.
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