Honest galloper Republic Lad can break through for an overdue win in today's La Boheme Handicap (race 4) at Canterbury Park.
Trainer Chris Waller has scratched the stablemate Permit, also a top chance, from the Benchmark 75 race over 1900m which paves the way for Republic Lad to record a long overdue success.
The gelding, a lightly raced son of Encosta de Lago, has hit the line strongly in four starts since a let up and looks hard to hold out here with the minimum weight.
Republic Lad returned from a short break over 1400m at Kembla Grange and after a slow start really got home well with a 4.7 length fifth.
Up to a mile at Randwick he drifted back to second last and was there to turn but again motored home, finishing a 2.8 length sixth behind Taken.
Racing here over 15500m next he was second last throughout and in traffic to the turn but sprouted wings when clear, finishing on for a 1.6 length third behind Dreamworker.
Last start, again here over 1580m, he raced closer to the speed and turned fourth before working home strongly to finish runner up, beaten just over three lengths from the dominant St Beune.
The gelding gets back out in journey now and although he is yet to be proven at the trip has always looked like he'd relish the extra journey.
He has the minimum weight, a good draw and leading rider Corey Brown is aboard.
The Greg Hickman trained Palasport has been runner up at his last two runs at the track and distance and rates a top chance of going one better this time.
The gelding placed at his first two runs back from a spell then covered ground throughout over 1800m at Radnwick, fading to finish seventh after a tough run.
Up to 1900m here two starts back he settled midfield and got home strongly to finish runner up, beaten less than two lengths, behind Honourable Aussie.
He then raced here again at the journey last time and sat closer to the action after drawing wide.
Turning second, he held that position to the line, finishing a three quarter length second behind Ashlee's Jewel on slow ground.
He meets the same grade here but will find this race easier and has drawn better.
The gelding is overdue and in the small field tonight gets his chance to break through.
Sir Peppercorn hasn't raced since finishing third behind Honourable Aussie here a month ago but is going well and looks a danger again.
He won here at the trip two starts back, running on hard to score, before sitting closer to the pace last start and boxing on well for third.
He will carry no weight after the claim and has drawn ideally in barrier one.
Penzevengi has claims on his last placing here after a slow start and despite the outside gate should be hard to hold out.
