PATRICK RYAN is finding it difficult to split his two runners, Golden Flag and Superleggera, in the $300,000 Jericho Cup at Warrnambool on Sunday.
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This year marks the third of a four-year commitment for the Jericho Cup from passionate Melbourne racing fan and philanthropist Bill Gibbins. The 4600-metre flat race honours Australia's light horsemen and their mounts.
Golden Flag is chasing success after finishing second in 2019 while stablemate Superleggera rounded off his Jericho preparation with a third-placing on the flat at Kyneton on Tuesday.
"I suppose Golden Flag looks the best of my two chances but I would not undersell Superleggera," the Warrnambool Cup-winning trainer said.
"Golden Flag ran a great race last year. He ran second to Ablaze and he was a top horse.
"Golden Flag has not put a foot wrong in this campaign. He's had a very good preparation. He's a tough grinding stayer and that's what you need at the end of 4600 metres.
"Superleggera is the lightly-raced stayer. I was really happy with his run at Kyneton this week to have him ready for the 4600 metres of the Jericho.
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"His win at Echuca was very good. I would say Superleggera is a top each-way chance at big odds."
Ablaze was trained by the powerful Maher-Eustace stable.
This year they saddle up Wil John and Dambulla. Both horses were victorious at their last starts at Ararat and Moonee Valley respectively.
Local trainer Symon Wilde has two representatives Britannicus and Count Zero.
Warrnambool Racing Club CEO Tom O'Connor said it was disappointing the general public and race club members would not be on-track for the race.
"We can only have 500 people on-course," O'Connor said.
"We've got 300 owners plus our sponsors so that will take us up to our 500 people.
"The government and Racing Victoria have put strict (COVID-19) protocols in place and we're just following the rules but we fully understand why the general public would be upset they can't be on course."
The Jericho Cup is at 4.55pm.
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