Seven-year-old Bocuse has opened the $4.20 TAB Sportsbet favourite for today’s $30,000 Koroit Cup (1700m) but the aging horse will need to overcome obstacles to win.

The Kelvin Bourke-trained galloper not only needs to carry 60kg but needs to handle the step up to 1700m for the first time.

Bocuse has been predominantly kept to sprinting journeys throughout his career.

The closest he has come to running over the journey was back in August 2008 when trained by Rodney Douglas.

He started a $2.40 favourite at Sale and finished fourth behind Hasty Girl beaten four lengths in the Country Showcase Class 2 Handicap over 1622m.

He was spelled after the run and has generally been kept to 1100m to 1200m races until recently stepping back up in distance.

Being by Epsom Derby winner Quest For Fame one would think he would run 1700m on his ear.

However the fact it has taken him 28 starts to get to this point suggests there has been doubt in the minds of connections he can
run it out – leg worries have also restricted his progress.

Bocuse brings a class factor to the race.

He is a dual city winner who has placed in Listed company.

He has carried 59kg to victory but again needs to break new ground with the hefty impost imposed by handicappers today.

As Bocuse’s price suggests, the race is open with many well performed Warrnambool horses engaged.

Bocuse has won two and was runner-up in his other two Warrnambool starts including a second to Stanzout in the Wangoom Hcp  (1200m) during the Warrnambool carnival in 2010.

When talking of class gallopers, the Group 1 2008 Emirate Stakes (1600m) winner Tears I Cry will race in saddlecloth two.

He has fallen a long way down since those dizzy heights.

This time last year he was still racing well winning three races on the trot including this race and a 1600m event at Flemington.

His return after a 36 week spell has seen him race eight times in the country for just one placing.

Though the nine-year-old hasn’t been far away it is way below the same old form.

Like Bocuse he likes Warrnambool, his home track, having won four of eight starts at the track.

TAB Sportsbet are happy to post $10 about the Kane Post ridden galloper but have the Anthony Freedman trained Seeking Chi at $4.80 second favourite.

It is fair to say this horse won’t reach the heights of Bocuse or Tears I Cry but while they are on the decline, Seeking Chi is a
four-year-old in good form.

From barrier three he is likely to settle in the first four and take beating.

At his past 10 starts he has won on three occasions and finished out of the top four just once.

These runs include city performances though all wins have been at the provincials.

2012 KOROIT CUP (1700m) at Warrnambool today – 4.12pm-est.

• 1. BOCUSE (K T Bourke)) (27-7-4-2): Seven-year-old who needs to carry 60kg to victory for the first time. He is racing over 1700m for the first time as well. Won the Port Fairy Cup here two starts back over 1400m before making ground behind Scarf beaten 4-1/2 lengths at Sandown-Hillside last time. In form but has those unknown factors to contend with. Can win but would want eachway value. Price $4.20. Rating 7
• 2. TEARS I CRY (Ms A McGrath) (54-10-3-5): Nine-year-old. Group 1 Emirates Stakes winner in 2008 who has been placed just once in eight provincial outings since returning from a spell. Not the horse his was but drawn well in five and likes racing at Warrnambool. Did strike interference at last start here on December 27. Can’t rule out but a risky bet these days. Rating 6. Price $10.
• 3 SCAREDYMAC (J A McLean) (32:7-5-7): Six-year-old. Won the Woodford Cup here last start when $4.20 fav over this trip beating Tolka Polka after coming from the back in a small field. Drawn wide and likely to get further back in this bigger field. In form and last start was first try at 1700m. Good with the sting out of the ground and suited by dead track rating. Go well. Rating 7. Price $4.40
• 4. DID WE WIN (T & K O’Sullivan) (55-8-10-4): Seven-year-old. Won the Donald Cup (1620m) in November from Redhead Rage but unplaced in three starts since. Drawn wide and likely to settle back. Finished four lengths adrift of Bocuse when both defeated by Scarf at Sandown-Hillside last start. Failed only start at Warrnambool. Has Clare Lindop aboard and in good hands. Include in multiples. Rating 6. Price $9.
• 5. STREAKY FELLA (D K Weir) (32:5-4-3): Six-year-old. Resuming from a 30 week spell. Unplaced at all four first up starts in the past but none of them have been at 1700m. Has won at this track and at 1600m but best form is in 2000m plus races. Not won since June 2010. In good yard. Likely to get back in the field and find it too short but stable has winning ways. Rating 5. Price $21.
• 6. CAN DO – scratched
• 7. OVERTAKE – scratched.
• 8. CATS FUN (J A McLean) (48:-9-5-5): Nine-year-old. Resuming after a 21 week spell. Capable jumper who has won at this track  previously and first up (10:1-2-1). Hasn’t won on the flat since winning the 2008 Perth Cup. Has shown enough of the flat even in recent times to say he isn’t hopeless in this if right but one suspects he will be fitter when jumps come along. Rating 4. Price $101.
• 9. SAGWALA (A Purcell) (59:6-7-9): Eight-year-old. Last win was here over this trip during the Warrnambool Carnival in May. He has unplaced in seven starts since and started double or triple figure odds at his past five starts. Was beaten three lengths by Bocuse in the Port Fairy Cup in December. Usually races better at this track and may sneak a place at big odds, Rating 5. Price $26.
• 10. KEEP CONTROL (D K Weir) (18:3-4-3): Five-year-old. Has had two starts since a 31 week spell. Form consistent before last start flop at Moonee Valley. Runner-up at both starts this track and will find this race easier. The 1700m is well in his distance range and has drawn well enough in six. Expected to settle midfield. Worth an eachway ticket at good odds. Rating. 7. Price $15.
• 11 GENERAL MACKJOSH (W Walters) (114:17-6-20): 10-year-old. Trained by the wily Wayne Walters and still winning after most would have been well and truly retired. Won three starts back at Mt Gambier over 1800. Has won one of five starts here at Warrnambool. Likely to get back in the field and question if he has the class these days to match it with some of these. Rating. 4. Price $51.
• 12. SEEKING CHI (A Freedman) (21:5-53-6): Four-year-old. Has raced consistently and finished back further than fourth once in past ten starts. Has the barrier and speed to settle near the front. May possibly lead. No real pace in the race so it should suit. Having first start at Warrnambool. Placed at Moonee Valley to Royal Mail two starts back and not far away at Canterbury last time. Good weight and nicely placed. Rates highly. Rating 8. Price $4.80.
• 13. TOLKA POLKA (B & S Wilde): Six-year-old. Had first start over this trip last time when second in Woodford Cup this track behind Scaredymac. Wide draw no help as likes to settle somewhere in first four and will need to work to get there early. No further back than fourth in past nine starts. Didn’t have much luck when a length away from Bocuse in Port Fairy Cup in December when $12 chance. Worth including for sure. Rating 7. Price $7.50
• 14: BRUNELLO (D F Daffy) (41:5-3-6): Six-year-old. Former Perth galloper who has had four starts in Victoria. The best of them was last start fourth at Nhill to Lotto Meo when a $9 chance. Had decent form in Perth but yet to find it here. Much better on top of the ground and the wet surface plays against him. Rating 3. Price $51.

TIPS: Seeking Chi 1 Keep Control 2 Sacredymac 3 Bocuse 4.