Co-trainer Todd Harvey expects Tradesman to put himself back in contention for the Perth Cup with an improved performance in the Group 2 $250,000 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) at Ascot in Perth on Saturday.
Jockey Dwayne Dunn, above, rode Tradesman when seventh in the Kingston Town Classic at Ascot. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Tradesman has missed a place at his last two starts in Group 1 company and Harvey thinks the drop back to Group 2 class will help the five year old find the right form heading towards the Group 2 $500,000 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot on December 31.
“This is a drop in class from his last two, so that should put him right in it. We’ve got a tricky barrier again and I’m not sure how we’ll ride him,” Todd Harvey told the West Australian.
Todd Harvey who trains in partnership with his father Robert, said the stable was worried that a tough run last start when seveth to Stratum Star in the Group 1 $1m Peters Investments-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot on December 3 might have ended Tradesman’s Summer campaign.
But the tough five year old has come through the run okay and Harvey is hoping he can figure in the prizemoney even though he will jump from the outside of the field that has been reduced to thirteen runners following the early scratching of the Tara Itzstein trained Bedamijo.
“We were a bit worried about it taking a bit out of him, but he pulled up really well,” Todd Harvey said.
“Dwayne (Dunn) got off him and said he just kept giving.
“He’s holding his condition well and hasn’t shown any signs of training off. We’ll just see how he goes on Saturday before we make any decision on the cup.”
Troy Turner hops back on Tradesman replacing Kingston Town Classic jockey Dwayne Dunn after partnering him in his two previous starts for a third to Perfect Refelction in the Group 2 $250,000 Waroa-Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) at Ascot on November 5 followed by a fifth to Scales Of Justice in the Group 1 $1m James Boag’s Premium Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on November 19.
The Grant and Alana Williams trained Perfect Reflection dominates the betting for the Ted Van Heemst Stakes at $2.90 with Ladbrokes.com.au while Tradesman is one of three other runners under $10 at $8.
The favourite’s stablemate Neverland is the second pick at $7.50 while Simon Miller’s Zarantz is listed as a $9 chance.
William Pike rides Kingston Town Classic third placegetter Perfect Reflection again but will be hoping for plenty of luck in the early and middle stages after coming up with barrier twelve.
