Market drifter Ability will strip a lot fitter when he steps out for the second time this campaign in the Listed $150,000 Seppelt Wines Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Damien Thornton will ride Ability, above, in the Victorian Sprint Series Final at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Ability has eased in the betting for the Victorian Sprint Series Final from $8.50 to $11 on Thursday at Ladbrokes.com.au and follows the same pattern that saw him drift in the betting from $4.60 to $8 for his first up run that saw him finished eighth over 1000m down the Flemington straight on June 9.
New jockey Damien Thornton got a feel of Ability in a jump out at Caulfield on Tuesday morning and expects the Henry Dwyer trained five year old to run a much improved race this weekend.
“I actually jumped him on Tuesday morning at Caulfield and he actually jumped out quite well and we finished next to Jukebox,” Thornton told RSN Racing Pulse.
“He is probably going to be a lot fitter for that first up run. He just got run off of his feet.”
“It was a bit of a forget run really.”
Thornton pointed out that Ability, who has drawn barrier four in the eleven horse field, has very good second up form with three wins and a second from four attempts and the step up to the 1200m will also be in his favour.
“He has good second up form, hasn’t missed the top two second up,” Thornton said.
“So up to 1200m, he will get a bit of cover and he is going to be finishing late if he is on the money.”
Thornton has a solid book of five rides on the nine event Flemington program on Finals Day and considers Ability as one of his better chances.
“I am probably looking forward to ride Ability and see how he is going to go after the way he trialled on Tuesday,” Thornton said.
“Not really any standout for the best ride for the day. You can make a case for all of them.”
In a wide open betting race, the Darren Weir trained Man From Uncle has been posted as the $5 favourite for the Victorian Sprint Series Final just ahead of Damien Oliver’s mount Hellova Street at $5.50, Divine Quality at $6 and Just Hifalutin at $6.50.
