Honest galloper Mr Armstrong can bring up a home-town Cup win in today's Carlton Mid Port Macquarie Cup (race 7).
Photo by Racing and Sports
The lightly-raced six-year-old has won a few country cups, including the Kempsey, Muswellbrook and Singleton Cups, but looks poised to run well in his home-town version today over 2000m.
Prepared on the course by Wayne Wilkes, Mr Armstrong has had a long campaign but has had his runs well spaced, the majority recently sticking to a month between runs.
After winning the Singleton Cup off a two month break back in April, he has had virtually a month between runs at his next six starts.
Four starts back was over 1900m at Rosehill where he drew wide and covered ground throughout, boxing on well after a tough run to finish fifth and beaten five lengths in a good form race.
Five weeks later, he returned to town over a mile at Warwick Farm, there sitting midfield before working home well for a two length fourth.
Up to 2020m at Doomben, he sat third but three deep, turning there and lifting strongly to finish third when beaten three-quarters of a length.
Up to 2100m at Eagle Farm last time, he rolled forward and raced second throughout, again boxing on well to finish just over a length from Warrior Within in fourth place.
Although he rises in weight for today's race he will find this assignment easier.
The gelding is yet to win beyond 1500m but has a string of performances at about the journey good enough to take this.
Surprisingly, he has started only twice on his home track for a win, which was in fact in the Kempsey Cup, and a fourth in the Wauchope Cup.
He handles the ground without any problems and on his recent form looks the best of the local hopes.
Chris Waller had two entries for the race but has decided to scratch Done Nothing' Wrong, who probably would have been favourite, leaving the job to Old Bill.
The imported galloper came to Australia as a maiden but broke through for his first win on these shores at his third run for Waller, over 2100m at Warwick Farm on slow ground.
He then finished fourth over 2400m before a spell.
This time in he resumed over 1400m at Warwick Farm where he ran on well on heavy ground, then stepped up to 1580m at Canterbury where he hit the line well to score.
Last start, over 2000m at Rosehill, he settled off the speed early but was taken to the front midrace and turned there.
He rallied strongly in the straight before peaking on his run, finishing a three length fifth.
He will be fitter for that run over the journey and after three runs from a spell should be at his top.
With a nice weight and a good draw he looks hard to hold out.
Eishin Rock, stablemate to Mr Armstrong, is definitely a chance on his last start win at Doomben over the trip.
He is very honest, drawn well, sits just off the speed and has good credentials at the track, distance and conditions.
Another Sydney galloper in Letchworth is racing well and should give a big sight.
The Marc Conners-trained gelding enjoys soft ground, races on the speed and has been very honest lately.
From barrier one he will be camped on the speed and will take running down.
Waldersdorf, on the other hand, will be charging home after his barnstorming win here last start.
He has drawn wide but will be doing his best work late.
