In-form galloper Prince Of Prague can continue his good form on a rain-sodden track in today's Promin Australia Wauchope Cup (race 8) at Port Macquarie.
Prepared locally by John Sprague, Prince Of Prague has won two of his last three starts and looks hard to beat again on his home track in today's feature over 1518m.
The gelding, a son of Beautiful Crown, finished seventh at his first two runs this time in before returning to winning form third-up.
That was over 1218m at Port Macquarie in a Benchmark 60 where he carried 61.5kg to an easy 2.8 length win.
Stepping up in grade to a Benchmark 70 at Taree, he settled off the speed and worked to the line steadily to finish third behind easy winner Danes Bullet.
Up to 1500m in slow ground here, he raced against open company which is perhaps the best barometer for this race.
There he sat midfield but hit the line strongly to score a 1.3 length win over Capital Raising.
Last start, in a Benchmark 73 here over 1500m, he struck a heavy track and again was too good, settling fourth in the run before running on to a two length win.
Today he returns to open class but drops 1.5kg in the weights.
Of his eight career wins four have been in slow to heavy ground but his strike-rate in soft conditions is very good.
He also has five of his eight wins here and is unbeaten at the track and distance
Danny Peisley, who has been aboard at his last four runs, retains the ride today and from a good gate he should be hard to hold out.
The Brett Dodson-trained Desert Bunny is comfortable in the conditions and looks the main danger.
The gelding ran a solid race second-up in the Singleton Cup at Muswellbrook where he worked home well into fourth, before stepping up to 1400m for the Tamworth Cup.
There he settled well back but made good ground in the straight to finish seventh.
Up to 1512m here in open class he had 58.5kg and tried to lead throughout, but ran well below his best and dropped out to finish seventh in a race won by Prince Of Prague.
Last start, though, over 1712m at Grafton, he led throughout and kicked strongly to score by almost two lengths.
He returns to Port Macquarie today and back to soft ground but he does have a good record in the conditions, including a win and a placing from two tries in heavy.
The gelding drops a massive 4.5kg today as he steps back out in open class, carrying just half a kilo over the minimum.
Although thrashed by Prince Of Prague the last time they met he meets the winner 3kg better this time.
From barrier four he will be prominent throughout and with the light weight will give a sight.
Bondit was another to suffer a defeat at the hands of Prince Of Prague last time but gets in here under the minimum after the claim.
The Joe Janiak-trained gelding ran sixth last start over 1500m here but didn't have much luck, bombing the start and covering ground.
He meets the winner 1.5kg better here and is at his best in heavy ground.
He should have something to offer in the finish with just 52kg.
Local trainer Wayne Wilkes has Well Satisfied and Eishin Rock, both of which seem to get through the conditions.
Well Satisfied was an easy winner here in easier grade two back and will give a sight on the speed.
Eishin Rock has been runner-up at all three runs this campaign and today steps out over 1518m for the first time.
