Sydney Cup An Option For Tremec After Chairman’s Handicap Win

Tremec could back-up in the 2015 Sydney Cup next weekend after he scored a tough staying victory in the 2015 Chairman’s Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon.

Tremec returned to winning form with an impressive effort in the 2015 Chairman's Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Tremec returned to winning form with an impressive effort in the 2015 Chairman’s Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Tremec had not recorded a race win since he took out the 2013 edition of the Chairman’s Handicap, but he received a lovely run in transit just behind the leader Queenstown and jockey Brenton Avdulla made his move at the top of the straight.

The Zabeel gelding appeared to relish the heavy going and he outstayed his rivals in the final stages of the race to record a tough victory from Queenstown and Grand Marshal.

Avdulla revealed that he was optimistic about the chances of Tremec in the Chairman’s Handicap due to his outstanding recording in the race and he said he could not have asked for a better run in transit.

“Coming into today I didn’t really have much on paper, but I was going through my replays this morning and the positive I found was that the last two times this horse has run in this race he has won and ran second,” Avdulla said.

“He was the best wet-tracker in the race and I just rode him accordingly.

“I had a soft run throughout and Timmy rolled nicely, but I was able to get the drag on him throughout and I gave my bloke a little bit of a click along and at the top of the straight I was going well and I knew he would keep going for me.”

Trainer John Thompson was thrilled to see Tremec returned to winning form in the Chairman’s Handicap and he was delighted for the large team of owners, which includes Jamie Walter – the brother of the late Guy Walter.

Tremec finished a disappointing 11th behind The Offer in the Sydney Cup last year, but Thompson said he may elect to give the six-year-old another chance over 3200 metres next weekend or save him for the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2200m) at Doomben on June 6.

“Jamie helped us out when we were down and Jamie and Wendy Walter were great supporters and helped fill our stable up and I will never forget that,” Thompson said.

“He is tricky and he has a mind of his own, but today coming back to his home track with a bit of give in the ground there was a few things in his favor.

“He is a horse that is coming right at the right time.

“We will let the dust settle and have a look at that (the Sydney Cup), but we may just go to the Brisbane Cup.”

Tremec is currently available at 2015 Sydney Cup odds of $26 with Ladbrokes, while Hartnell ($2.80) is a clear favourite from Protectionist ($5), Who Shot Thebarman ($6) and Red Cadeaux ($8).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.