WA Champ To Make Presence Felt
16 February, 2018
Harness
WA Pacing Cup winner Soho Tribeca will be out for more Group 1 success on Saturday night, when he lines up in the Allied Express Transport Sprint (1609m) at Menangle.
Formerly under the care of Kim Prentice and Bryan Cousins in Perth, Soho Tribeca produced an outstanding performance on his return to the east coast, where he was a narrowly beaten runner-up by Lazarus in the Hunter Cup on February 3.
The Allied Express Transport Sprint is one of two qualifiers on the program for next Saturday’s Miracle Mile, and a win for Soho Tribeca this week would guarantee him a start in the time honoured event next weekend.
Soho Tribeca will have his second start for Victorian trainer Michael Stanley on Saturday, and has drawn barrier five in the $100,000 feature which also includes Hunter Cup third and fourth placed Heaven Rocks and Lennytheshark.
Stanley said Soho Tribeca, to be driven once again by Greg Sugars, had thrived since he travelled to Sydney, and was well prepared for what he expected to be a tricky assignment.
“He travelled up to Sydney really well and has eaten everything since he has been here,” he said.
“We just have to keep him healthy and maintain his fitness, and we are confident he is healthy.
“The mile at Menangle is pretty brutal on the horses, but a lot of them are in the same boat coming out of the Hunter Cup.”
The five-year-old is set to have a battle on his hands to get to the lead on Saturday, with plenty of pace drawn to his inside, including Anything For Love.
Despite the predicted early speed, Stanley said Soho Tribeca’s run in the Hunter Cup showed he was versatile enough to win from any position.
“Ideally we would like to be in front and have everyone chasing us,” he said.
“If that doesn’t eventuate, I’d be happy to see him sit in the death and dictate from there.
“These grand circuit horses are good for a reason, and when you ask them to step up, they keep stepping up for you.”
Lazarus will be looking to become the first horse to win the New Zealand Cup, Inter Dominion, Hunter Cup and Miracle Mile in the same season next weekend.
He gets his chance to round out his preparations for the Miracle Mile later on the Menangle program in the Canadian Club Sprint, where he is a dominant $1.20 favourite with TABtouch.
Tim Walker