Arch Symbol To Back Up At Moonee Valley
- Tuesday, 20 July 2010 07:15
An attractive light weight is tempting trainers Bill and Symon Wilde to back up last start Caulfield placegetter Arch Symbol for a career test at Moonee Valley.
Arch Symbol will get as much as 6.5kg off the top weights Moatize and Pinnacles after receiving only 53.5kg in Saturday's Hiskens Cup (1514m).
The six-year-old will be on trial at the distance, his first test beyond 1400 metres, after a tenacious half length third to Soul Diva and Philda in last Saturday's Clamms Seafood Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield.
"I don't really like the week back up after Caulfield but he is beautifully weighted and we will have to have a think about it," Symon Wilde said.
Arch Symbol has won seven of his 18 starts but isn't noted for backing up.
Last year he won at Hamilton with eight days between runs but last month he didn't fire as expected when beaten 3-1/2 lengths finishing fourth to Elusive Touch at Flemington, five days after his half length second to Philda at Moonee Valley.
Wilde said it was always hoped Arch Symbol would get his chance in longer races and the time was now right for him.
"The only reason we have been sprinting him is because he has been so unsound," Wilde said.
He said Arch Symbol was poorly conformed with a club foot and was prone to shoulder pain because of it.
For that reason his trackwork is limited but race fitness this campaign has given the foundation to target longer races.
"I think he would make a good miler actually," Wilde said.
"He is pretty versatile as he can settle and he can go forward so there are a few ticks the box."
Arch Symbol and arch rival Philda are again likely to clash at the valley.
However Moonee Valley specialist Philda, with 59kg, will meet Arch Symbol 3kg worse than last Saturday.
Three of Philda's 10 wins in 28 starts have been at Valley, including twice this campaign.
Other Hiskens Cup nominations include Diggersanddealers, who made it three city wins in a row at Caulfield on Saturday.
Damien Oliver has already been booked for the mount.
Craig Williams is engaged for Streetfighter who is resuming and Davcon also returns from a spell.
Picture: Colin Bull
