Talented galloper Bocuse will be hard to hold out in today's Port Fairy Cup (race 6) at Warrnambool.
The lightly-raced seven-year-old, prepared by Kelvin Bourke at Geelong, has a big finish and in today's big field on the roomy Warrnambool course should be hard to hold out over the 1400m journey.
Stakes placed at the course in last year's Wangoom Handicap, the former Rod Douglas and Jim Conlon trained gelding has been going well in three runs for his new stable.
Fresh up he resumed over 1100m at Bendigo and after getting back to second last powered home with a close up third.
He then stepped up to 1200m at Kyneton and carrying 59kg he drifted back to second last but swamped his rivals late, scoring a three quarter length win.
Last start, in open class over 1200m at Ballarat, he was buried back in the ruck throughout but really knuckled down in the straight to finish fourth, beaten three-quarters of a length behind Bondarchuk.
He is going well at the moment and looks nicely placed here despite the wide gate.
He'll get back anyway, but a decent speed up front will ensure he gets every chance to produce his big finish.
Bocuse has raced three times at the track where he won his maiden in 2008 and has been beaten twice in a photo in the 2009 and 2010 Wangooms.
Winning rider Jamie Mott is back aboard and with even luck he'll be hard to hold out.
Local galloper Desatin is dropping back in grade for this and should also be hard to hold out.
Prepared on the course by Mathew Williams, the mare resumed over 1200m at Geelong and after getting well back made late ground for a close up eighth.
She then race din the Group 3 Maybe Mahal Stakes at Flemington on Cup day and after settling midfield on the inside battled home fairly to finish a 5.5 length eighth behind Sophie's Spirit.
Today she carries the same weight but drops well back in grade to her home course where she has two wins and a second from six runs.
The mare has a great record at the trip and from barrier one should enjoy a good run throughout.
Nicastro is essentially another local who has a good record here and on his recent form looks a top chance.
The Jarrod McLean trained gelding broke a long drought here five back then raced in the Winter Championship, finishing 11th, before a spell.
His form this time in has been good, running fifth fresh up before a sound on speed third at Flemington on Cup day.
He then stepped up to a mile in the Donald Cup and raced on the pace to place again.
The gelding has been kept fresh for this and with a good gate should be parked just off the leaders again.
He is yet to miss a place from three tries at the course and has two second from two runs at the track and trip.
Diamonds At Dusk is ready to win after two placings from two runs this campaign and Sylvan Lodge, although well back in journey, has claims as he returns from a slight let-up.
