Taking back-to-back Bathurst Cups is one heck of a task, but Dubbo trainer Darren Hyde believes he’s got the runner capable of making it happen at tomorrow’s meeting.
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Cardiff Prince picked up a memorable win in last year’s feature race at Tyers Park when jockey Mathew Cahill carved his way through the field to win by a neck.
Cahill is returning on the six-year-old Southern Image gelding for the $25,000 Bathurst Cup (1800 metres), but this time will have to go from wider out in barrier 10, rather than the number one from last year.
The form looks good for Cardiff Prince, who comes into the race with three successive placings.
That’s got Hyde bringing plenty of confidence along for the ride to Bathurst.
“He’s in very good order at the moment. His last three runs have been great and they’ve come at tracks and distances that haven’t really suited him,” he said.
“He’s back up to 1800 now, which is his distance. For some reason he really loves Bath-urst as well. He’s won two from two there.
“He went to the Gilgandra Cup, where he got third on a tight track that wasn’t something that suited him. He was then second in the Cowra Cup and it only looked like he was warmed up as he went past the post. Then at Parkes he rocketed home late to lose by only a length.
“That’s got him set really well for this one.”
With his Bathurst win in 2014 coming on a heavy track, and last year’s Cup on a good surface, Cardiff Prince has shown versatility on the Bathurst track.
Hyde believes Cardiff Prince comes to Bathurst just as good, if not better, a horse than this time last year.
“He’s impressed me because since he went for his spell he’s come back thicker and with a bit more weight,” he said.
“That’s not something that normally happens with him. This will be his sixth run back since the spell and his work on Tuesday was really good.
“With that bloke Mathew Cahill on the back of him, that makes a huge difference as well.”
Former Bathurst trainer Bjorn Baker has the top weight with Off The Rails and will be one to watch considering the gelding’s step down in grade.
Paul Theobald is the sole home-city representative in the race, having All Sixes starting from widest out in barrier 12.
Cardiff Prince and All Sixes are the only returning runners in the event from last year’s Cup.
The Bathurst Cup will be the seventh race on the cards tomorrow. It will jump at 5.04pm.
