SUCH is the faith Eglinton trainer-driver Nathan Hurst has in his stable star Saloon Passage, that he says there will be “no excuses” if he misses out in Friday night’s Oberon Cup.
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A son of champion Kiwi Elsu, Saloon Passage has been a consistent performer for Hurst against quality fields.
Last year he picked up four placings in Group level races, the most recent being a second in December’s Treuer Memorial.
The six-year-old boasts 22 wins from his 68 starts and has finished in the placings of 66 percent of his races.
“It’s great to have a horse that you know is always going to be a really good chance,” Hurst said.
“He doesn’t get many chances throughout the year to race at home, but he runs really well at Bathurst. We picked out the Shirley Turnbull Memorial for him then I picked out this race for him as well.
“It will be nice to have him run on his home track and not do much travelling.
“He’s looking really nice at the moment, he’ll certainly have no excuses.”
The annual Oberon Cup, to be run over 2,260 metres, has attracted a good quality field given its $13,780 purse.
While Saloon Passage shapes as the obvious favourite, there are plenty of threats.
Temora Cup winner Lexus On The Beach is in the field of 11, Menangle trainer KerryAnn Turner has Mojo Major chasing a third consecutive win, while Peter Trevor-Jones has entered his veteran Beetson.
“It is a pretty good field for it, it’s a good free for all race,” Hurst said.
“One of his [Saloon Passage’s] owners is from Oberon, Ray Mawhood, so he’s pretty keen to win it.”
Given his grading Saloon Passage will go from barrier 11 in Friday’s Bathurst Paceway feature, but according to Hurst this is not a major problem.
In fact, it could actually work out well given Saloon Passage has proven himself handy in sit-sprint situations.
“I’d probably rather the draw he got than seven or eight. He’s probably been charging off the gate a bit, so this is a good opportunity not to do the work early. Then we’ll put him into the contest when we can,” Hurst said.
“We always knew that he’d draw there, so we’re not too disappointed.
“He goes really well racing that way [from a sit]. Most of the time he’s been in front because of the barrier draw or the way I’ve had to drive him, but when I was at Menangle and he sat up, he went really good.”
Saloon Passage has been freshened up since the December 26 Shirley Turnbull and looked sharp when running second in a trial on Monday night.
He finished a head behind Mouse In The House, the pair getting home in a 56.4 seconds final split for a 1:57.7 mile rate.
