Mecir will jump from gate 13 in the 2014 Scone Cup tomorrow, but co-trainer Michael Hawkes does not believe the wide barrier draw will be a problem for the talented gelding.
Team Hawkes is hopeful that Mecir can return to winning form in the 2014 Scone Cup tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart
Mecir had no luck at the start of his summer preparation and was denied almost certain victory when he was blocked for a run in both the Gardenia Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on January 18 and the February Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 1, but overcame a wide barrier draw to score a fast-finishing victory in the Group 3 Newmarket Handicap (1400m) at Newcastle on March 19.
The Lonhro gelding finished fourth behind Sistine Demon in the Group 3 Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield on April 19, but Hawkes told Racing Ahead that he has been happy with the form of the five-year-old and is hopeful that he can perform well in the Scone Cup on Friday.
“This bloke has just been plagued by bad barriers,” Hawkes said.
“When he draws a good barrier we are wrapped and he always runs average and when he draws a bad one he always produces.
“Going back, that Newcastle win was exceptional and even his last start at Caulfield, he is not really a wet track horse and the track cut up a bit, his run was super.
“He probably got a bit far back that day and he should have at least run second.
“It is a big track and it is his first time at a mile, he has run over 1550 at Canterbury before, but I don’t really see the barrier being a problem at all.”
Mecir started his campaign with a narrow win in the Blackwoods Loctite Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 30 and was blocked for clear running in the Rosehill Gardens Handicap (1200m) on December 21 before returning to winning form in the Schweppes Handicap (1400m) at the same venue on January 4.
The fast-finishing gelding has now scored five wins from 17 race starts and will be chasing his second black type victory in the Scone Cup this weekend.
Mecir is currently available at 2014 Scone Cup odds of $5.50 and has been the clear market mover in betting, but there has also been support for Joseph Pride-trained Destiny’s Kiss ($6), imported stayer Prince Cheri ($6) and Darley mare Wistful ($6).
