Sigley Trio Set For Success
2 February, 2018
Thoroughbred
In-form trainer Vaughn Sigley is confident he has found the right race for Gomer Wipple to record a well-deserved win at Ascot on Saturday afternoon.
The five-year-old has finished third at his last two starts, but drops back in class in the Mumm Champagne Handicap (1800m) where he will once again carry 56kg, with Sigley electing to utilise the 3kg claim of Brodie Kirby.
Gomer Wipple dead-heated with Cruachan first-up this campaign, before three competitive performances in higher grades, including a last start third to Oliver’s Travels on January 20.
Sigley said he is confident the gelding will get the 1800m trip, his first try at the distance.
“He does relax pretty well in his runs,” Sigley told TABradio’s The Sports Daily.
“I think he does need the 1800.
“All things going right for him, I think he’ll be winning.
“I liked him last time, but the 1500 proved too short.”
Gomer Wipple is a $3.40 second elect on TABtouch, behind last start winner Sandalwood, who is a $2.40 favourite.
Sigley will launch a two-pronged attack on the Magic Millions Handicap (2150m) on Saturday, with Friaresque and Luke’s Gold having their seventh and sixth starts respectively this campaign.
The pair were beaten by Jackpot Prince over 2100m last start, and the Adam Durrant-trained galloper is favourite to make it back-to-back wins on Saturday.
Despite the narrow margin of the defeat last start, Sigley said he still wasn’t convinced the pair run out the trip.
“We are still testing a bit with them,” he said.
“They hit the line the other day and both of them were blocked for a run.
“I expect them to run well.”
Also lining up in the event is the Simon Miller-trained Cruachan, and like Sigley, Miller is not convinced the five-year-old will see out the trip.
“We will have a look and see if he can get the trip,” he said.
“I want to hone in on what his best distance is and he can then have a break-out prep.
“I still think he is a 12-1400m horse.”
The first event at Ascot on Saturday gets underway at 12.49pm.
Tim Walker