Trainer Damien Lane believes he’s found a race to suit his old stager Catesby in the $37,000 Bakewell Haulage Krambach Cup over 1600m at Taree on Friday.
The eight-year-old was given a lot of weight, but Lane elected to engage apprentice Anna Roper to ride the horse and bring the impost down from 62kg to 60kg.
"We're going out to a mile for the first time with him, but he ran a good race in town over 1400 at his last start," Lane said.
"So that's encouraging going into a race like this.
"I thought it would be a good idea to reduce that weight with the right sort of jockey and Anna's a good apprentice who's riding well.
"He's a no-fuss racehorse so there should be no problem there."
Catesby's most recent start that Lane referred to resulted in a fifth (of 13) to Mensa Missile in a midweek Benchmark 72 race over 1400m at Rosehill on September 28.
Well-performed country horse Two Big Fari, trained by Todd Howlett, was second in that race, which strengthens the form line.
This will be Catesby's third start for Lane. The horse has had several trainers during his career and at his first start for Lane he was 11th in a 1200m race at Randwick on September 17.
The horse obviously improved out of that race going to his next start at Rosehill and Lane is hoping for further improvement going back to country class at Taree.
"He's been around for a while, so he's a smart racehorse and knows how to handle things," Lane said.
"He keeps up on speed in his races and keeps boxing away. I wouldn't want the track to be heavy for him, but it was fine weather on Thursday so hopefully that will help dry it out a bit."
Catesby is the $3.80 third favourite on TAB with Greek Hero the $2.90 favourite and Super the second elect at $3. The only other runner being quoted at single-figure odds in the eight-horse field was Mister Smartee at $8.50.
Greek Hero was a last-start placegetter at Eagle Farm and Super a last-start placegetter at Warwick Farm.
Meanwhile, the flying Bugalugs ($4.40) is certainly good enough to win the Allan Bakewell Memorial Krambach Sprint over 1250m, but he'll have to carry a whopping weight of 64kg to do it.
Bugalugs, trained by Scott Singleton, carried 62kg to beat a strong field in the Spring Cup over 1200m at Tamworth at his last start, on September 26.
Bugalugs beat the Cody Morgan-trained Ezekeil and the Cameron Crockett-trained Commando Hunt into the minor placings at Tamworth.
Commando Hunt ($23 on TAB) is running in the $2 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick on Saturday and is rated a decent shot at winning that big race, so the form of Bugalugs going into the event at Taree is looking pretty good.
Gates open 11am. Entry $10. Food vans, bar, bistro and full TAB and bookmaker facilities are available.
