Rejuvenated galloper Ebony Rock can continue his great run for new trainer Stephen Theodore when he lines up in the $70,000 Don Abell Cup (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Originally prepared by David Hayes, Ebony Rock has been something of a revelation since his transfer to Theodore.
Despite his record at the time reading just the two wins from twenty-two starts, Theodore decided to take the gamble and purchased the four-year-old son of Fastnet Rock for $15,000. Since then, Ebony Rock has won a shade under $60,000 in prize money including winning his first four starts for the new stable before running second in the $85,000 Swan Hill Cup (1600m) and fourth in the $100,000 Provincial Plate (1630m) at Flemington last weekend.
Notably Ebony Rock has drawn barrier four on Saturday meaning he doesn’t necessarily have to get as far back as he did at both Swan Hill and Flemington. With the only real speed horses Philda and Forty Thirty likely to cross to the front from wide barriers, it wouldn’t surprise to see Ebony Rock settle in either the second or third pair from the lead.
Adept on all kinds of surfaces any rain on or before Saturday should prove of little concern.
Significantly down in weight on his run behind the promising Menados last weekend, should Ebony Rock be able to reproduce an effort similar to his run in the Swan Hill Cup two starts ago he looks well placed to break through for a deserved city success on Saturday.
BEN ASGARI
Ben Asgari Racing 