David Noonan is taking a 1400-kilometre detour on the road to Jericho with Da Deputy, in a hope to give the stayer another shot at Australia's longest flat race.
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The Cranbourne-based trainer will be watching from afar as Da Deputy contests the second-annual Road to Jericho (3400-metres) at Thoroughbred Park on Sunday afternoon.
A top-two finish will all but guarantee the six-year-old gelding a start in next fortnight's $300,000 Jericho Cup.
The Warrnambool marathon has been Noonan's target since buying Da Deputy for $15,000 four months ago, the stayer being last year's race favourite.
Noonan opted to send Da Deputy to Canberra instead of a Moonee Valley meet to boost his chances of securing a start, having missed out on qualification by a mere 0.1 lengths at Echuca earlier this month.
"Of course we'll be watching, with interest and we look forward to it. The plan was to get him to the Jericho and we're nearly there, I think we've got a horse that can run well on it," Noonan said.
"Even running second will guarantee him a start with how the points work, you get double points [on Sunday] if you're first, second or third. If he runs second, it's not the worst thing in the world for us. It pretty much gets us straight into the race.
"I think he's improved since his last start, probably since his Geelong run he's been improving all the time. Couldn't be happier for the horse, I expect him to run really well.
"The [Gai] Waterhouse horse will be hard to beat no doubt. If he'll sustain the trip is unknown, its a long race. Our horse is pretty tough and I'm sure he'll still be there, biting on at the end."
Da Deputy was floated from Cranbourne to Albury on Saturday, with NSW trainer Mitch Beers taking him into care for the meet due to border restrictions.
There are no local horses in the $30,000 race, with Da Deputy to contest Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Frenzied, Gordon Yorke's Thurmanator, and Gino D'Altorio's Barcoo Bill.
The favourite Frenzied carries a 60-kilogram weight, which Noonan says could prove to be a big difference over the longer trip.
"[The small field] probably doesn't matter. The favourite Frenzied likes to lead, so it'll do it's thing. We'll stalk as much as we can and have a crack at the weight," Noonan said.
"We won't be worried about what the other two do necessarily. We'll try and make it stay in the last period I reckon. We're five kilos less than Frenzied."
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SCORSE'S SAUCE
Former leading jockey John Scorse provides all the tips you need for Canberra's race meet on Sunday.
Best bet: Race 3, No.3 Azoustic: All runs this preparation have been good, ideally drawn and looks very hard to beat here
Best roughie: Race 6, No.4 Royal Thunder: Forced to lead in a small field last time, looks well suited today. Well bred colt who has trialled once and looked green, has the rails draw which is a big plus. 4th: No.4 I Like Big Putts: Watch market.
Race one: 1st: No.6 Miss Ostend: On debut as are the whole field here so parade and market moves could be key, trialled very well against older seasoned and well performed horses. 2nd: No.2 Impact Star: Won a trial at Gosford in slow time with a bit in hand, then trialled on the heavy in town when 6/7. 3rd: No.1 Ballo:
Race two: 1st: No.1 Frenzied: Comes into this with much superior form than his rivals, tough on speed last time and this looks a target. 2nd: No.3 Da Deputy: Strong stayer who won't be far away. 3rd: No.4 Thurmanator: Some chance. 4th: No.7 Barcoo Bill: Next best.
Race three: 1st: No.3 Azoustic: Looks ready to win after three runs this time, good placing last time and ideally drawn. 2nd: No. 4 Francisco Pizaro: Good effort to place in strong class one last time, looks the obvious danger. 3rd: No.2 Singing River: Even effort first up has raced well second up previously. 4th: No.5 Outahand: Next best.
Race four: 1st: No.1 Much Much Better: Has strong city and provincial form, well placed back to a country maiden from ideal draw. 2nd: No.4 Jac The Great: Good run first up and should be improved, needs luck from wide draw. 3rd: No.5 So United: Well-bred type who has trialled up well, watch market. 4th: No.6 Strixen: Next best.
Race five: 1st: No.1 Bulwark: Racing consistently and looks hard to beat, should get the right run here. 2nd: No.2 Clem Fandango: Improving type who was strong late to score over 1600m, extra distance should suit. 3rd: No.4 Kippax: Set to peak at third run this preparation, will run the distance right out. 4th: No.5 Microna: Next best.
Race six: 1st: No.4 Royal Thunder: Improved by three runs this preparation and very close to a win, loves this trip and drawn to get the favours. 2nd: No.8 Scarleo: Nice type coming of a freshen up here, races well on his home track. 3rd: No.5 Mookareena: In top form and will be hard to beat again. 4th: No.7 Lolita Gold: Not without a chance here.
Race seven: 1st: No. 3 Mr Kylin: Very consistent type and dropping back in grade here, well drawn and should be on pace all the way. 2nd: No.9 Wandonna: She has really hit her straps and shooting for the hattrick. 3rd: No.6 Away She Goes: Dropping back in distance but will be finishing strongly. 4th: No.10 Fusca: Watch market.
Race eight: 1st: No.15 Dynamic Impact: Resumed on the heavy at Kembla and had no luck, could be a big improver here. 2nd: No.5 Island Bay Boy: Has been impressive at the trials and set to run well. 3rd: No.7 Loving Cilla: recent trial good, watch market. 4th: No.19 Favourite Things: Can improve on drier surface.