Picture: Bruno Cannatelli
Ciaron Maher can have a group of 5 runners within the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate at Flemington.
If assistant coach Jack Turnbull is correct, Smokin’ Romans is about to strike kind at Flemington.
The Ciaron Maher-trained galloper contests the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m) on Saturday, certainly one of 5 runners from the secure.
A Group 1 winner of the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington in October 2022, Smokin’ Romans has positioned solely as soon as in 12 subsequent begins.
Smokin’ Romans did run seventh in each the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following the Turnbull Stakes success and fourth in an Australian Cup at Flemington.
Turnbull mentioned Smokin’ Romans had been progressing nicely this marketing campaign and had lastly drawn a gate the place he can maintain a place within the run.
“He’s been up at Ballarat and is coming off a gradual build-up,” Turnbull mentioned.
“He had an extended spell over summer time after a few heavy seasons and this marketing campaign, being winter, we’re making an attempt to get some confidence again and he’s brimming with confidence.
“I do know he hasn’t received, however he’s hit the board a few instances, and each time Jaylah (Kennedy, who rides once more on Saturday) will get off him, she’s simply rapt with how nicely he’s going.”
Turnbull is banking on some latest education and a hurdle trial at Pakenham bringing out the most effective in Normandy Bridge who shall be favoured by the moist situations on Saturday.
Normandy Bridge posted three successive wins final winter however has didn’t recapture that kind this marketing campaign.
Turnbull mentioned Normandy Bridge was a thinker.
“He’s been right here, there and all over the place, and mentally he undoes himself,” Turnbull mentioned.
“He loves the situations, his health ranges are tremendous, however he must do it.
“He could be unruly at instances and hopefully the leaping will knock a little bit of sense into him.”
The Maher secure can even be represented by Interpretation, fitter for one run again from a spell, final begin Caulfield winner Wyclif and Herman Hesse, having his first run since contesting the Pakenham Cup in March.
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