ARMED with one win in the bank already this week, Brent Stanley will be aiming to add to his haul on Bendigo Cup day.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The 2018 Bendigo Cup-winning trainer will have two runners on Wednesday, led by El Salto, who will be chasing back-to-back victories following a pair of wins at Echuca earlier this month.
He will also saddle up Eitlit in the final event on the program.
Stanley, who notched up a victory with Donndubhan at Benalla on Monday, has enjoyed plenty of success on past Bendigo Cup programs, most notably with his 2018 cup winner Red Alto.
READ MORE:
He would like nothing better than to add to that, especially now that he is based on-course at Bendigo after making the switch from his former base at Sutton Grange in August this year.
The three-time Group race-winning trainer is especially bullish about the chances of El Salto, who is bound for the VRC Grand Handicap Sprint at Flemington on MacKinnon Stakes day (November 6).
"He's flying at the minute. He's got 62kg on his back, but he needed the one more run - there was a long time in between his last run and into the finals," Stanley said.
"He won within 10 days of a back-up of his last two starts, so we will try for similar this time after giving him a break in between."
Jamie Mott will take the ride on El Salto, after Patrick Moloney rode the four-year-old gelding in both of his Echuca wins.
Stanley said Moloney, who will ride last start winner Haystacks Calhoun for Kyneton trainer Danielle Chapman in this race, would be back aboard the horse in time for Flemington.
Meanwhile, Stanley is banking on an improved performance from Eitlit, who is third-up from a break and failed to beat home a runner at his last start at Ballarat on October 8.
"He probably needs 1400 to 1500m now, but there are not many races around for his rating," he said.
"He'll go okay, but he will need the right run in the race."
Stanley is in the midst of finding a new home for Red Alto, who retired from racing earlier in the year, but remains under the trainer's care at his new base at Bendigo.
"We'll find him a new home where he can live out his days with the right people," he said.
"He's not the easiest horse, so you have to find the right home for him.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
