Veteran stayer Maluckyday will get his first chance over an appropriate trip since joining the stable of Joseph Pride when he runs in the Listed ATC Cup (2100m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Maluckyday will take on Hoylonny and three other Chris Waller-trained runners in the ATC Cup at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Photo by: Steve Hart
Maluckyday was expected to be retired after finishing seventh behind Mourayan in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) earlier this year but was instead sent to the stable of Pride who patiently waited before bringing the 2011 Melbourne Cup runner-up back to the races.
The son of Zabeel resumed with a promising sixth behind Strike The Stars in the City Tattersalls Club Handicap (1400m) at Royal Randwick on October 19 and was far from disgraced when taking on a tough field in the Filante Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 2.
Maluckyday will be much better suited when stepping up to 2100 metres for the first time this preparation but will need to recapture his best form against a strong field to record his first race win since his victory in the 2010 Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m).
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has a strong hand in the 2013 ATC Cup final field; with Permit, Hoylonny, Secessio and Fulgur all set to contest the Listed event.
The Waller-trained foursome all clashed in the Wingham Handicap (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 16 and Hoylonny returned to form to take out the race, in a run that was queried by stewards after failing to beat home a single runner in the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) and Myer Spring Fashion Handicap (1600m), while Permit and Secessio rounded out the placings.
Imported galloper Sysmo has also been included in the ATC Cup final field and trainer Tony McEvoy is confident that the son of My Risk can record his second race win this preparation before heading to the spelling paddock.
The four-year-old started his spring campaign with a third place finish in the Detmold Group Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks on October 5 before winning the Listed Seymour Cup (1600m) and running a strong third in the Secondbite Plate (1600m) at Flemington on Emirates Stakes Day.
Sysmo will step up to 2100 metres for the first time this preparation and McEvoy believes that the promising gelding is good enough to compete at Group 1 level, over that trip, during the 2014 Autumn Racing Carnival.
Gai Waterhouse-trained Travolta is another horse that will be stepping up in distance for the first time this preparation, after starting his campaign with a disappointing eighth place finish in the Wadalba Handicap (1350m) at Rosehill Gardens just under a fortnight ago.
The Handsome Ransome gelding has been very consistent over 2000 metres and beyond but is still chasing his first win at Listed level; finishing second in the Australia Day Cup (2400m) and third in the Gosford Cup (2100m).
Adam Duggan-trained Frozen Rope, the resuming Fieldmaster and Darley mare Sindarin all round out the 2013 ATC Cup final field.
