Imported stayer Above Average a good chance for the Sydney Cup

Lee Freedman is confident that his Sydney Cup hopeful Above Average is capable of toppling race favourite Mourayan this weekend.

Above Average has never been beaten by Mourayan and Freedman believes his imported stayer has the form and ability to keep the upper hand.

“We’re really upbeat about his prospects,” Freedman said.

“I think he’s right in the market for the Sydney Cup.

“I see Mourayan is favourite but I don’t think Mourayan has ever beaten him home when they’ve met.

“(Above Average) beat him home in the Sandown Cup and he beat him home again in the Manion Cup.”

Freedman thinks that Above Average is perfectly prepared to undertake the 3,200 metre distance offered by the $500,000 Sydney Cup.

“He’s had a good preparation and we’ve given him some schooling as well which I think he needed just to sharpen him a bit,” Freedman said.

“He’s a real two miler and that’s a big thing going into the race.”

Above Average is currently allocated 51.5 kilograms to carry in this Saturday’s race, a figure that is 7.5 kilograms lighter than his previous weighting.

“He’s been pretty spot-on, he ran a great race in the Manion Cup and then he came back home and ran at Caulfield and was probably a good thing beaten carrying 60kg with the vest,” Freedman said.

“He is dropping a lot in weight and I think he’s got a great chance.”