Sir Charles Road will be looking to continue his love affair with Sydney on Saturday when he lines up in the Gr.1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.
The Matamata galloper has a great association with Randwick, having won the Gr.2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m) there last year before running third in the Sydney Cup behind Who Shot Thebarman.
The five-year-old gelding returned this year to finish fourth behind Gallic Chieftain in the Chairman’s Quality and his connections are happy with him heading into Saturday’s two-mile feature.
“It was a pretty good effort (in the Chairman’s Quality),” O’Sullivan said. “He ran well and kept finding the line well, we were very pleased with him.
“He hasn’t missed an oat since. The horse looks really well, he’s bright, happy and is pretty well within himself. He certainly looks good ahead of Saturday.”
While pleased with his charge heading into the race, O’Sullivan believes Sir Charles Road will have to be at his best to repeat last year’s result after drawing barrier 20.
“He will need a lot of luck from there but it’s just the way it is. He’s fit and very healthy and he’s a happy horse,” O’Sullivan said.
“I think the field is stronger this year, but he’s going to beat more home than beat him home.”
Sir Charles Road has been marked as a $21 chance in the two mile feature by TAB bookmakers, while they have fellow Kiwi-trained horses Glory Days, Rondinella and Zacada set at $18, $17 and $91 respectively.
- NZ Racing Desk
