The sole 9yr-old in the Melbourne Cup might be flat out featuring in the finish at 5pm today, but North Taieri trainer Steven Prince has no such concerns with Ric O'Shea in the feature at Wingatui this afternoon.
Japanese runner Curren Mirotic is expected to be on the speed early in the 3200m feature at Flemington, but pundits are suggesting he will be found wanting at the business end.
Ric O'Shea, on the other hand, should be finding his best groove at the tail end of today's $30,000 1400m open handicap.
The son of O'Reilly resumed with his first win in more than two years at Wingatui in September. He followed that up with a handy third to Come Fly With Me at Gore two weeks later after the tempo did not quite pan out as Prince had hoped.
"He's a horse that you've got to get out and get rolling on him,'' Prince said.
"He got every chance at Gore, but Come Fly with Me just quickened up the tempo at the 600m and left him a bit flat-footed.
"Tomorrow, he's probably got the perfect barrier draw for him - 8 on the outer.''
The wide draw allows jockey Kylie Williams to find a handy spot in the eight-horse field.
"She won't have any problems getting out and getting going with him.''
Despite having turned 9 at the start of the season, Prince cannot fault the 9yr-old's condition.
"He's really really well and looks a picture. There's no complaints there.''
Passito is Prince's best chance today after running third to the promising Indiana Pearl at Winton in October on her season debut.
The formline comment stated she "battled well'' from the 200m, but Chris Johnson - her jockey that day - told Prince the heavy track played a part at the wrong time.
"Chris said at about the 200m she got into a wet patch but she went pretty good first-up,'' he said.
"She's really improved from the run - coat-wise, and everything, Her work has been really good and I'm really pleased with her.''
Jockey Kevin Kalychurun's 2kg claim will bring the mare's weight down to 53kg, and the barrier draws have been kind to the 4yr-old.
"She'll come into 3 with the ballots so she'll put herself in behind the leaders.''
All Jokes Aside finished sixth fresh-up at Oamaru and Prince takes plenty from the 5yr-old's last 600m sectional of 34.65.
"It was a pretty good run, to be fair,'' he said. "He just got snagged back and snagged back and he came home the last 600m in 34 - the quickest of the whole lot.
"He's improved in the coat and he's not the worst.''
Justice Well steps up in grade after his maiden win when he tackles a rating 65 1400m. From barrier 1, jockey Courtney Barnes will probably look for cover handy to the pace.
Prince's other runner is Brunello (race 2), who was fourth on debut at Winton with Chris Johnson on board.
"Chris was really happy with him and it's a bonus he's going to stick with him,'' Prince said.
"That's the first thing he said to me after Winton - he said, 'I want to ride him again.'
"He's got a pretty good barrier draw and Chris will help him along a bit.''
Tips from the talent
Jacob Lowry
Gallant Ruby (Race 10, No 3)
Samantha Wynne
All Dressed Up (place) (Race 9, No 11)
Courtney Barnes
Fascinate (Race 9, No 12)
Terry Kennedy
Landales Gold (Race 10, No 4)
Kylie Williams
Velocious Satin (Race 7, No 14)
