Dual acceptor Fulgur is set to take his place in the $100,000 Ascot Racecourse Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Melbourne jockey Craig Newitt will ride Fulgur at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
The Chris Waller trained English import was also an acceptor in the $85,000 Bob Ingham Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill but the six year old will stay in Melbourne where he has been based for his last two starts.
Fulgur hasn’t visited the winner’s stall since he strung together three wins last winter but the stable and bookmakers alike are expecting that to change on Saturday.
“He’ll be running at Flemington – he’s definitely staying here,” Melbourne stable foreperson Justine Hales told TVN.
Fulgur was in outstanding form in restricted class twelve months ago with two wins over 1700m at Flemington before Waller took him back to Sydney for a win over 1800m at Rosehill.
But from eight starts since Fulgur has only been placed on two occasions.
Three starts back the High Chaparral gelding finished third over 1600m at Randwick before being shipped back to Melbourne where her ran third again over 1600m at Moonee Valley.
Fulgur was then sent out the $2.80 favourite but disappointed with a lacklustre sixth to Marksmanship over 2000m at Caulfield with Craig Newitt aboard.
Newitt has stuck with him and so have the bookies with Ladbrokes.com.au installing Fulgur as the $3.80 favourite for the Ascot Racecourse Handicap.
Adelaide galloper Eclair Samba is next in the betting at $5 ahead of the Darren Weir trained Backbone at $7.50.
Leading Morphettville trainer Phillip Stokes decided that Eclair Samba deserved his chance at the bigger prizemoney on offer in Melbourne after the four year old returned to form with a win over 2014m on his home track a fortnight ago.
“He hit form last start and he seems to hold it for two or three runs and wet tracks are not a problem for him,” Stokes said.
“He’s down in the weights so I thought it would be a good time to send him over before he gets up in the rating points.
“Obviously this is harder than Adelaide but we’ll give him his chance.”
