IN-FORM Bendigo stayer Weave will continue his trail to the $150,000 Bagot Handicap on New Year’s Day at Flemington on Saturday.
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The Anne Yates-trained gelding will be aiming for three-straight metropolitan wins in the $100,000 Blue Star Print Group Handicap at Caulfield (2420m).
Weave - a five-year-old by USA sire Hard Spun out of Alberghetti – will be dropping back in distance from his last start win at Moonee Valley on December 1 over 3000m.
But with the Bagot Handicap firmly in mind and a handy prize purse on offer, Yates said the opportunity of a lead-up run was too good to refuse.
“All is good with him, we can’t fault him at all, so we thought we would give him just that one run in-between the Bagot to keep him fit,” she said.
“They may be a bit sharp for him over 2400m, but he is going well and it’s a restricted race, so at least he is in his class.
“Normally it’s a big ask, not many horses can drop back to the 2400m from 3000m, but at least he sits on the pace and makes his own luck.
“A lot going our way hopefully we’ll be in the finish.”
Weave will again be ridden by apprentice Ben Allen, who has partnered the stayer at both his back-to-back wins at Moonee Valley.
This time there will be no benefit of a one and a half kilogram allowance in weight, after Allen outrode his claim with his 80th city winner at Moonee Valley last Friday.
Yates played down the affect that would have on her stayer’s chances.
“He knows the horse well and you can’t really shy away from a winning combination,” she said.
With Weave, who has won five of 22 career starts, locally owned, Yates said there was bit of a buzz around Bendigo racing circles at the moment.
“Everyone supports a winner – it was good to see Allen Browell get a winner (Our Sevira) last Friday night too,” she said.
“Bendigo has a bit of luck going its way at the moment.
“It’s what you want to see for the region.”
Weave is currently rated a $20 chance. The early favourite is the Matt Cumani-trained Etah James ($4.60), who is also chasing a third consecutive win following wins at Geelong and Ballarat respectively on November 11 and 25.
The Bagot Handicap (2800m) is a Listed race and carries prize money of $150,000.
