Professional punter Daniel O’Sullivan has Trust In A Gust on top of his 2014 Toorak Handicap tips and he is confident that the talented entire can become the first horse since Barely A Moment in 2005 to complete the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes/Toorak Handicap double.
Trust In A Gust is the 2014 Toorak Handicap tip of Smartform’s Daniel O’Sullivan. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Trust In A Gust made his debut at Group 1 level in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 28 and he produced a career best performance to fight over Dissident in the final stages of the race.
O’Sullivan told RSN this morning that the performance of Trust In A Gust in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes was most impressive and he is happy to have him as his standout Toorak Handicap selection.
“Trust In A Gust is the one that looks the most likely,” O’Sullivan said.
“He has the best last star figures in the field, he is ok over a mile and he looks likely to get the ideal tag on the leaders there.
“Straightening up for home he is going to be emerging and staking his claim.
“From a betting perspective I think he is going to be the one that you can be on here.”
Arabian Gold and Solicit have been two of the best backed runners in Toorak Handicap betting markets, but O’Sullivan is happy to lay both mares in the Group 1 event at Caulfield on Saturday.
O’Sullivan believes that Solicit has not been fully tested in her two race starts during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival, while he is concerned about where Arabian Gold is going to land in the early stages of the Toorak Handicap.
“A lot of my opinion on this race was based on horses that I definitely don’t want to back in the race,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think that Solicit is a huge risk in the race.
“She is coming into this race third-up, but most notably her first two runs have been very soft speed early and I’m just not sure that type of lead-in to what could be a pressure 1600 metre Toorak is the right sort of lead-up.
“Even If put that aside, even if I mark her at her very best form I can’t get her any better than $8 or $9 here.
“I certainly couldn’t be on her.
“I think that Arabian Gold has plenty of talent, but she is going to be back near last so I certainly couldn’t back her.”
Trust In A Gust ($5.50) is a narrow favourite in Toorak Handicap betting from Bull Point ($6), Arabian Gold ($6) and Solicit ($6.50).
