SINCE Fouroeight made his racing debut for Georges Plains trainer-driver Mat Rue in 2015 he has barely put a foot wrong, but this season the gelding has gotten even stronger.
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That is why Rue is confident he can finish in the top six of Saturday’s four-year-old entires and geldings NSW Breeders Challenge semi-final (1,609 metres) at Menangle Park and earn a spot in the Group 1 decider.
The Rock N Roll Heaven x Platinum Sign gelding has finished in the placings in each of his 10 starts this season, his last four resulting in a victory. He will look to add to that streak on Saturday from a tricky barrier 11 draw.
“He has strengthened up a bit more lately, he can do a lot more work in his races nowadays than he could earlier on … he’s really coming into his own now,” Rue said.
“From the draw this week we won’t be able to do a lot, we’ll be getting off the fence at the start though, we won’t risk it by staying in there. But you can definitely drive him more confident these days than you used to be able to.
“I definitely hope there’s a bit of speed on. In a way it is a bit of an awkward draw, but it’s also okay. I’d rather draw there than out in eight, nine or 10.
“If he had drawn in there he would’ve been forced to do a fair bit of work early, but he should get off the fence pretty quick from there and all going to plan, he should be following the favourite. Real Stride is the horse to beat in that race.”