Tuscan Fire Ready To Jump At Cup Chance
- Friday, 21 November 2014 07:13
Tuscan Fire will be out to add to his reputation as one of Australia's most versatile stayers when he lines up in the $200,000 Ballarat Cup on Saturday.
In a career spanning 58 starts, Tuscan Fire has successfully mixed flat racing with jumps racing but he hasn't been hurdling since June, 2012.
It makes his resume one of the most interesting in Australian racing, rekindling memories of Vintage Crop's 1993 Melbourne Cup win.
Vintage Crop made a name for himself as a jumper in the UK before making Australia's best stayers look second-rate in his famous Flemington victory.
Given Tuscan Fire, winner of the Mornington Cup last year, is running into back into form, trainer Dan O'Sullivan says it will be a while before the eight-year-old will return to action over the obstacles.
"We haven't written off going over the jumps but here we are still going around for 200,000 (dollars) on the flat and there are 12 less risks to get over," he said.
Trained on the track, Tuscan Fire hasn't made a hometown appearance since beating three horses in a hurdle race in May, 2012.
Tuscan Fire started favourite in that win and he is sharing the top line of Cup betting with Spinderbella at $6.
He goes into the Ballarat Cup third-up and better suited up to the 2200m after a last-start fourth over 1800m at Flemington.
"He's in terrific order," O'Sullivan said. "He's had two runs back in, is getting up to peak fitness now and out to a better trip."
Tuscan Fire has equal topweight of 60kg to carry on Saturday and has come up with barrier one with in-form jockey Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
Spinderbella, a last-start Moonee Valley winner coming from last over 2040m, will be getting 6kg from Tuscan Fire.
The Robert Smerdon-trained mare has drawn close to the rail in gate three and Chad Schofield will ride her for the first time.
