Leading New Zealand trainer John Sargent looks set to record his most important win since opening up a stable in Sydney when handy mare Fromelles tackles the Listed ATC Cup at Warwick Farm this afternoon.
Photo by Bronwen Healy
Formerly known as the Frank Underwood Cup, the ATC Cup is usually run at Rosehill or Canterbury over 2000m or 1900m and is recognised as one the principal lead up races for the Sydney Summer staying features such as the Christmas and Summer Cups.
However the race has significance beyond those races, providing future winners of the G3 Hobart Cup (Bid Spotter 2011), G1 Auckland Cup (Zavite 2010) and G1 Metropolitan (2008 Newport) to name a few.
So against that background this afternoon’s renewal is a race with historical significance for the future.
Today the ATC Cup will be run for the first time over 2200m at Warwick Farm adding a new stamina dimension for the event which is why I believe kiwi staying mare Fromelles has a slight edge.Top Timeform rated on weight adjusted figures, Fromelles a six-year-old Savabeel mare has raced three times in Sydney since a spell showing improvement each occasion.
After two runs back over shorter distances, Sargent stepped her up to 1900m last time out at Rosehill in open company where she showed a glimpse of her staying ability flashing home late for an eye catching third behind Levi’s Choice.
Unfancied in betting, Fromelles settled down last in a slowly run race and remained there until turning into the home straight. Under Nathan Berry, Fromelles rallied late along the fence beaten just under three lengths on the line.
That run will have bought her close to peak fitness and the added 300m this afternoon is seen as a major factor.
Despite her age, Fromelles has shown no signs of “training off”, winning three of her six career wins in the last twelve months.
In fact in that period, Fromelles has won the G3 Rotorua Cup over 2200m and the Trentham Cup over 2100m defeating handy stayer Spiro who has strong staying form in New Zealand having run second in both the Wellington and Auckland Cups prior.
I am expecting Fromelles to run close to her peak Timeform rating this afternoon. If she does Fromelles will fight out the finish.
The all conquering Chris Waller stable will be represented by the former euro-trained Moriarty who has continued to improve in ten starts down under winning three races ranging in distance from 1550m to 1800m although he has been runner up at his last two outings over 1900m and 2000m respectively.
On weight adjusted ratings, Moriarty is rated just a pound inferior to Fromelles. However he has been a model of consistency this campaign winning three times and placing twice in five starts since a spell.
Moriarty had previously won two races from ten starts in Britain at 1408m and 1609m and was placed at the Curragh in Ireland over 2011m but then failed at his only attempt over 2414m.
The 2200m this afternoon could be the query but given the fact he ran his highest Timeform rating since coming to Australia over 2000m last time out he deserves to be afforded another opportunity over a longer trip.
A horse who will not be bothered by the distance is top weight and former group one performer Fiumicino.
The now nine year old and winner of the 2007 G1 AJC Derby and 2009 G1 BMW both over 2400m, has performed successfully at the highest level in Australian staying races over several years but his recent form is well below that level, some 17 pounds in fact based on Timeform ratings.
That aside a repeat of either of his last two efforts does keep him in the frame for consideration.
Despite not having won for 1337 days (since the 2009 BMW) Fiumicino showed plenty of zest two back when a strong finishing fourth beaten half a length behind Crafty Irna in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup over 2400m at Randwick.
Then last start he was third beaten eight lengths behind latest staying sensation and current favourite for the 2013 Melbourne Cup Puissance De Lune in the Bendigo Cup also over 2400m.
The slight drop back to 2200m is not an issue nor is the top weight of 59kgs as he faces much easier class.
In an interesting riding move Nash Rawiller will have the mount this afternoon and this could easily be the deciding factor if the finish gets busy.
Another former useful stayer who has been a long time out of the winner’s list is Scouting Wide.
Under the care of Tim Martin, Scouting Wide has not seen the winning post first for 924 days and time looks to be running out for the eight year old.
Scouting Wide had almost a year off before resuming over 1500m at Rosehill finishing a handy fourth before a disappointing run over 1900m last start beaten over eight lengths behind Levi’s Choice.
While I am prepared to overlook his last start failure, Scouting Wide could still be a run short to handle a strong 2200m third up from a long spell.
Moriarty is the form horse coming into the race. Accordingly he will be well found by punters and likely to be poor value which is why Fromelles looks better value in what promises to be an interesting clash.
Enjoy the race.
