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IT COULD be a big few days coming up for Bendigo trainer Josh Julius.
On Wednesday, Julius will saddle up stable star Dubai King in heat eight of the Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Series (1400m) on Bendigo Cup day.
A win or top-two placing would automatically qualify the eight-year-old gelding for the series final on VRC Oaks Day on November 9.
It would also guarantee Julius, who moved to Bendigo from his former training base at Warrnambool two and a half years ago, his first Spring Carnival runner.
“I’ve been down to Flemington a couple of times and obviously down to Moonee Valley with Dubai King, but it would obviously be something else to be involved at Spring Carnival time should we get the opportunity,” he said.
Not that Julius is getting ahead of himself.
He knows Dubai King - the galloper who last November provided him with his first city winner at Moonee Valley – will need to be close to his very best to topple a class field, spearheaded by a trio of Darren Weir runners.
“He’s shaping up alright – he’s probably rated a bit higher than we would probably like,” he said.
“He won his races last preparation and it’s put him at a rating probably near enough to his peak.
“In this grade – up to 78 grade – he’s a bit of a question mark, but he’s been pretty much competitive in every race we’ve had him in.
“It looks a nice little race for him and having that home track advantage should keep him in good stead.”
Dubai King, who was originally trained by Greg Baker at Horsham, has won one of six starts at Bendigo since being transferred to Julius and been placed on two other occasions.
The son of Dubai Destination is having his third start this preparation and was unplaced at his last race in Geelong over 1340m on October 4.
Julius, who hovers between 17 to 25 horses in work at any given time, said it was the aim of trainers everywhere to land a winner on their local cup day.
“All the local trainers should be respected, the likes of (Shane) Fliedner) and (Shaun) Dwyer always bob up on cup day as everyone would know,” he said.
“A little saver on most of the local runners wouldn’t go astray.
“All the local trainers target this day. It might not be their grand final, but they are always in it to win it on cup day.”
Star apprentice Ben Thompson will ride Dubai King, who is currently rated a $14 chance.
All the local trainers should be respected, the likes of (Shane) Fliedner) and (Shaun) Dwyer always bob up on cup day as everyone would know.
- Josh Julius
Julius said there were no surprises for guessing where the main opposition would come from.
“Weiry probably dominates this race a bit. Last start at Geelong this horse got beaten by Another Coldie, who is in the race and will be one of the favourites.
“There are a couple of horses coming back from city form.
“Or form lines might be a little weaker coming from city races, but he’s top-weight for a reason – he won his way to that rating with his good performances.
“He’s as good as he has been this preparation.”
Asked for his opinion on the $300,000 Group 3 Jayco Bendigo Cup field, Julius believed the top two in betting – Kiwia ($2.40) and Qewy ($2.60) – would be tough to beat.
“I picked Francis Of Assisi last year and will probably go with the Godolphin team again,” he said.
“I reckon Qewy will get the job done, but the Gerry Ryan-owned Kiwia will give it a big shake too.
“Even though it’s a small field I think it will be a cracking race.”