Malice up to 2200m of the Tattersall’s Cup for first time

The John O’Shea trained Malice will be stepping up to the 2200m of the Group 3 $200,000 Carlton Mid Tattersall’s Cup for the first time at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

Malice, above, royal blue with white cap, is stepping up to 2200m of the Tattersall's Cup for the first time. Photo by Steve Hart.

Malice, above, royal blue with white cap, is stepping up to 2200m of the Tattersall’s Cup for the first time. Photo by Steve Hart.

The furthest Malice has race over is 2000m and he was successful over that distance when he took out the 2014 Listed $100,000 ATC Cup at Rosehill.

The Teofilo five year old is coming off a last start fourth to Hopfgarten in the Listed $100,000 RadioTAB The Wayne Wilson Plate (1600m) at Eagle Farm on June 11 and O‘Shea thinks it is time to step him back up to a middle distance.

“He was exposed a bit early last time and a few of them proved too sharp for him. This time he’s got an extra 600m which looks like it should suit,” O’Shea said.

“He’s at the right stage of his career and his current preparation for a race like this.”

“Throughout his career he’s shown he’s competitive in good company. He’s been placed in good Group races, he’s won at Listed level and he’s holding his form well.”

O’Shea said that Malice is a very competitive race horse who has won five races and has been placed on ten occasions from thirty race starts.

“He’s a very honest, tough performer who finds a way to be competitive in just about any race he runs in, so we’re looking forward to him doing the same on Saturday,” O’Shea said.

Malice has drawn barrier five in the small Tattersall’s Cup field and will be ridden by Damian Browne, taking over from the stable’s number one rider James McDonald.

In a wide open betting race at Ladbrokes.com.au, Malice is listed at $7 for the Tattersall’s Cup and is one of six runners under double figures in the eight horse field.

The Team Hawkes trained Tucanchoo heads the market order at $3.10 ahead of Brisbane Cup winner Benzini at $3.90, Chris Waller’s pair of Junoob at $4 and Index Linked at $8.50 and Kiwi five year old Gesemi at $9.

The other two runners in the market order are the Tony Gollan trained Brave Ali at $31 and Toby Edmonds’ Mr Lebrock at $34.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.