Trainer Peter Robl believes that Ninth Legion can win his second Listed $150,000 Tattersalls Club Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Ninth Legion, above, is chasing his second Carrington Stakes win at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Ninth Legion has drawn barrier two in the seven horse field and if jockey Blake Shinn can keep the on pace runner in open space, Robl says he is the one to beat.
“He’s got to be on the outside – he never races as well with horses around him,” Robl told Racenet.
“It’s just an old gelding sort of trait.
“From barrier two he’ll either hold the front or be outside the leader. The only thing we don’t want to happen is for him to get dictated to the fence because whenever he finds the fence he just doesn’t let down like we know he can.”
Ninth Legion took out the 2015 Carrington Stakes when trained by Team Hawkes and goes into this year’s version on the back a last start second to Most Important in the $150,000 Buffering Quality Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm on December 31.
The seven year old hasn’t been able to find the winner’s stall from his last seven starts but was in fine form during last year’s Winter with a win in the Listed $175,000 City Of Ipswich Eye Liner Stakes (1350m) at Ipswich followed by a win in the Listed $100,000 Civic Stakes (1350m) at Rosehill.
Robl said that he mixes up Ninth Legion’s training routine to keep his mind fresh and the veteran sprinter spends some time at the beach as well as his regular track work.
“He’s still enjoying his time in the stable. I don’t think there’s any reason to send him to the paddock until he’s telling us he’s had enough,” Robl said.
“I just poke around with him and keep him happy. He’s got a bit of attitude about him so he does a bit of work on the treadmill, on the beach and on the track.
Ninth Legion is well in contention in the betting for the Carrington Stakes at $5 at Ladbrokes.com.au who have the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Ecuador as the $3.60 favourite just ahead of Kim Waugh’s Oxford Poet at $3.80.
