Tupac Amaru was placed at Group 1 level less than 12 months ago, but the four-year-old may be looking for a new home if he fails to fire in the 2015 Parramatta Cup at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Tupac Amaru finished second behind Criterion in the 2014 Australian Derby, but has been unable to replicate that form since. Photo by: Steve Hart
Tupac Amaru finished a brave second behind Criterion in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m) at Royal Randwick on April last year and was far from disgraced when sixth in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m), but he has been unable to replicate that form in his last two preparations.
The Street Cry gelding failed to beat home a runner when he returned to the races in the Canterbury Hurlstone RSL Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 16 and he was plain in both the Listed Premier’s Cup (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 30 and Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) on September 18 before he was sent to the spelling paddock after he beat home just two runners in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m) at Royal Randwick on October 4.
Tupac Amaru performed fairly in two barrier trials at Warwick Farm on January 8 and January 27, but he was unable to take that form to the races and he beat home just a single runner in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 7.
O’Shea told Racing Ahead that he has been extremely disappointed with the recent form of Tupac Amaru and he indicated that the four-year-old could he on his way out of the Godolphin operation if he produced another poor effort in the Parramatta Cup (1900m) this weekend.
“He is a run short, but he would want to get a wiggle on,” O’Shea said.
“He was disgraceful the other day and since his run in the Sydney Cup none of his form has warranted getting too enthused about any of it.
“He is on notice and I hope that he starts to equit himself a little bit or he might find an alternative career path somewhere.”
Tupac Amaru is currently available at 2015 Parramatta Cup odds of $71 with Ladbrokes, while Chris Waller-trained Diametric ($4) is favourite from progressive gelding Pajaro ($6), last start winner Burbero ($6.50), imported galloper Greatwood ($7), non-winner Black Jag ($7), David Vandyke-trained Less Is More ($9.50) and lightly-raced stayer Grand Marshal ($10).
