Tulloch Lodge co-trainer Adrian Bott is expecting another bold showing from Ecuador in the Listed $150,000 Carrington Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Ecuador, above, has been installed the favourite for the Carrington Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Ecuador has drawn the inside gate in the seven horse field and drops 1kg to 61kg after lumping 62kg to victory first up in the $100,000 December Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill on December 24 and will be ridden again by Adam Hyeronimus.
Bott, who trains in partnership with Gai Waterhouse, said that Ecuador has been keep on the fresh side for the 1400m of the Carrington Stakes since his first up win but will step up in distance later into his Autumn Carnival campaign.
“We’ve tried to keep him nice and fresh to keep him sharp over 1400 metres,” Bott told AAP.
“As we know his ideal trip is over a bit further.
“Later in his campaign we’ll be looking to be stretching him out over further but hopefully he’s right up to the mark for Saturday.”
“He was absolutely brilliant first-up. He had to carry the top weight.”
Ecuador will appreciate the step up distance later in his campaign and showed his liking for the longer journeys during the late Autumn last year with wins in the Listed $100,000 Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Rosehill and the Listed $100,000 Fujitsu Air Conditioning McKell Cup (2400m) at Randwick.
The Peter Robl trained Ninth Legion has drawn next to Ecuador at barrier two and will carry the second top weight of 58kg with Blake Shinn taking over from Damian Browne who was aboard the seven year old last start when second to Most Important in the $150,000 Buffering Quality Handicap (1300m) at Eagle Farm on December 31.
Ecuador has been installed the $3.70 favourite at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Carrington Stakes just ahead of the Kim Waugh trained Oxford Poet at $3.80.
Oxford Poet has drawn barrier five with Tommy Berry in the saddle and will strip fitter following his first up third to Dal Cielo in the $100,000 Summer Sprint at Warwick Farm on January 7.
