3 minute read
Victoria Derby winner Fox Dan can take his first step towards redemption in this year's Eureka when he tackles the Mildura Cup on Saturday night.
He is one of two strong contenders for the $40,000 Listed race from the Emma Stewart barn along with stablemate Captain Perfect.
The pair come through the same qualifying heat on Tuesday where Fox Dan led and felt the pinch late but held off a closing Captain Perfect by a head.
The hitout was Fox Dan's first since his Derby triumph in October so it is fair to think he'll be better for the outing.
The Derby capped a strong three-year-old season for Fox Dan who earlier chased stablemate Bay of Biscay when runner-up in the Eureka and going one better in that race will be his main target for this year.
The preferential barrier draw system of the Mildura Cup means Fox Dan gets a second row barrier so he may need some luck but the same can be said for most of the fancies, including Captain Perfect.
He has returned in good order having scored a fresh win at Melton before his eyecatcher in the heats and his third-up record stands at two wins and a placing from three attempts so he will be closing in on peak fitness.
Captain Perfect ended a consistent three-year-old season with a Breeders Crown win in December and could be ready to step up to the top levels this time in.
My Ultimate Jimmy took his record at the Mildura circuit to nine from 13 when winning his heat from this barrier on Tuesday. He is the only one of the top fancies drawn on the front row and that could prove a big advantage.
The consistent Jilliby Nitro must be respected off some good form including a Terang Cup win two back where he beat the talented Miki To Success while Forty Love is a player having stuck on well to place in his heat after working.
Classy filly Sparkling Sea can get her NSW Oaks campaign back on track when she heads to the Golden Easter Egg at Menangle on Saturday night.
David Hewitt's filly suffered a surprise defeat when midfield as a hot favourite in the Gold Bracelet Final at Bathurst last start but she had won her other three outings this time in.
That included the Raith Memorial last month where she came from close to the outside to win impressively, taking her record at the Menangle mile to four from four.
The Golden Easter Egg offers the winner direct entry in the NSW Oaks on May 2 and a low draw will see Sparkling Sea a hot favourite to secure that berth.
