Top Sydney jockey Glyn Schofield will make a rare trip to Tasmania to ride South Australian stayer Pelicano in the Group 3 $225,000 AAMI Hobart Cup (2400m) at Hobart on February 10.
Pelicano was back to his best form winning over 2006m in a 0-94 Handicap at Morphettville on January 5 after disappointing trainer Tony McEvoy when fifth to Unusual Suspect in the Listed $120,000 TAB Werribee Cup (2600m) at Werribee on December 16 as a short priced favourite.
McEvoy was glad to see the four year old return to form and will now head off to Hobart looking for more prizemoney.
“He’s done everything right,” McEvoy said.
“The horse is bright, well and in a good place.”
McEvoy is hoping that Pelicano can hold his form and win in Hobart and go onto to Launceston for the Group 3 $225,000 AAMI Launceston Cup (2400m) on February 27 to be eligible for the $100,000 bonus on offer if the one horse can win both feature races.
The Hobart Cup has attracted the interest of many of the leading trainers throughout the country with Peter Moody nominating Elusive King as well as David Hayes and Anthony Freedman nominating.
Gai Waterhouse’s is also strongly represented with Gold Coast Magic Millions Stayers Cup winner Kinnersley and Travolta and Reuben Percival who finished second and third to Anthony Cummings’ Shadows In The Sun in the Listed $100,000 Vili’s Pies Australia Day Cup (2400m) at Warwick Farm last Saturday.
Last year’s winner Geegees Blackflash is again nominated after taking out the race last year for local trainer John Luttrell, but the six year old missed out on the bonus when run down in the straight by Prevailing to be beaten a quarter of a length in the Launceston Cup.
