A couple of factors are swaying Mark Minervini toward Royal Randwick on Saturday with Raging Bull and bypassing the Wyong Cup.
But the Newcastle trainer’s hometown Gold Cup (2300m) on September 20 remains very much on the agenda.
Minervini entered former Sydney six-year-old Raging Bull for three races; the $250,000 Listed Wyong Gold Cup (2100m) on Friday, and $200,000 Listed City Tattersalls Club Cup (2400m) at Randwick and Benchmark 90 Handicap (2000m) at Doomben on Saturday.
He accepted with the gelding for both Wyong and Randwick, but late Wednesday morning was favoring going to headquarters.
The Wyong Cup drew 10 acceptors, and three of them (including Raging Bull) also are in the eight-horse City Tatts Cup field, along with another dual venue acceptor Roma Avenue, who is in a Benchmark 94 Handicap (1600m) at Randwick.
Raging Bull drew barrier four with 54kg at Wyong, and has 1kg less at Randwick where he drew barrier five.
“I’m leaning strongly toward the Randwick race,” Minervini said.
“The 2400m on the bigger track suits him better than 2100m on the tighter Wyong circuit.
“And it’s a smaller field and he has 53kg (limit weight).”
Minervini has booked Rachel King for Raging Bull, who has contested the last two editions of City Tatts Cup for his previous Rosehill Gardens trainer David Payne.
He ran fifth to Cadre Du Noir in 2022, and fourth to Athabascan last year.
Minervini is delighted with Raging Bull’s progress since his latest third to Guzumped in the Wyong Cup Prelude (2000m) on August 18.
“He is in outstanding order, and bouncing out of his skin,” he said of the 2021 Victoria Derby fourth placegetter.
“Provided he races well on Saturday, we’ll go to the Newcastle Cup next.”
Minervini ran third with the now retired Hosier in last year’s $300,000 Group 3 Newcastle Gold Cup (2300m).
Irrespective of whether Raging Bull goes to Randwick or Wyong, his trainer has another important mission beforehand.
He is sending the consistent but so far winless Toyger to Coffs Harbour on Thursday in an attempt to “break his duck”.
Minervini has found a slightly shorter 805m Maiden Plate for Toyger, who has been placed at seven (five of them seconds) of his 13 starts.
The four-year-old has been runner-up at both appearances at 900m this preparation at Newcastle, after leading in each race.
Apprentice Millie Thompson will claim 3kg on Toyger, lessening his handicap to 56kg – 1kg under the limit – in the set weights event.
“Millie won a trial at Scone for me recently on Ocean Joy, and I was quite impressed with her,” “Hopefully she can get an overdue win with Toyger for connections.”
Minervini also starts recent Newcastle winner Dubai Flyer (Blake Spriggs) in a Benchmark 82 Handicap (1605m) at Coffs Harbour.
Story John Curtis, September 4, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos
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