Darren Weir has both Akzar and Tooleybuc Kid in the 2015 Ballarat Cup field and the Melbourne Cup winning trainer believes that the duo need to improve to be genuine winning chances in the Listed event at Ballarat tomorrow.
Akzar has the chance to return to winning form in the 2015 Ballarat Cup this weekend. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Akzar started his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival with a flat performance in the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington on September 12 and he produced improved performances in The Cup Club Handicap (1700m) at Caulfield on September 26, Listed Cranbourne Cup (2025m) on October 11 and City Jeep Handicap (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 23 before he was narrowly denied in the Kyneton Cup (2000m) on November 4.
Weir told Racing Ahead that he was disappointed that Akzar was not able to take out the Kyneton Cup, but he is hopeful that the veteran stayer will now be at peak fitness for the 2015 Ballarat Cup.
“I thought he had every possible chance at Kyneton,” Weir said.
“I’m just hoping that he might have needed it.
“Otherwise he might have to improve.
It looks a stronger race than the Kyneton Cup.
“He’s finally down in the weights a little bit so that might help.”
Tooleybuc Kid returned to racing with a credible performance in the Golden Nugget Handicap (1600m) at Ballarat on September 20 and he is another horse that has improved every time he has been seen at the races in the Murtoa Cup (2050m) on October 3, Browns Sawdust & Shavings Cup (2000m) at Pakenham on October 15 and the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on October 28.
Weir was very happy with the performance of Tooleybuc Kid in the Bendigo Cup and he is confident that the Denon gelding will be able to produce a similar effort in the Ballarat Cup, but he admits that he is unsure whether that level will be good enough to take out the Listed event this weekend.
“He’s drawn a bit awkward, but he ran as good as he could in the Bendigo Cup,” Weir said
“If it’s not as strong as the Bendigo Cup he might be a chance, but that run is where he’s at.”
Akzar and Tooleybuc Kid are currently available at 2015 Ballarat Cup odds of $10 with Ladbrokes, while Queensland Oaks runner-up Ungrateful Ellen ($5) remains a clear favourite from Tony McEvoy-trained Sysmo ($9), last year’s winner Mujadale ($10) and Chris Waller-trained Index Linked ($11).
