Cole’s fully fit Saccharo primed for Darwin Cup Carnival
Saccharo missed last year’s Darwin Cup Carnival with an injury, and leading Top End trainer Phil Cole is hopeful the eight-year-old gelding can make an impact in 2024.
The son of Magnus wasn’t sighted after finishing third in the 2023 Alice Springs Cup (2000m) – that was after winning the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) at Pioneer Park.
Cole had every right to be buoyant leading into the Darwin Carnival, especially after Saccharo won three straight at Fannie Bay before heading to the Red Centre, but the gelding then suffered a splint bone injury when he arrived home.
He didn’t return until December, when fourth and sixth over 1200m in open company before finishing a narrow third against quality opposition over 1300m on Australia Day after lumping 62kg and jumping from gate 11.
Eight days later, Saccharo saluted over 1300m (60kg) before a second (60.5kg) and another win (60kg) in March before having three months off.
Returning two weeks ago, the former Victorian galloper was seventh in an open 1200m handicap.
Cole has eyed the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on August 5 for Saccharo and the buildup begins on Saturday when he faces a strong field in the $30,000 ROANT Gold Cup (1300m).
The $60,000 Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m) on July 13 and the $50,000 Metric Mile (1600m) on July 27 will follow.
Talented apprentice Emma Lines will partner Saccharo (60.5kg) on Saturday.
“I think he’ll go really good on Saturday, he jumped from the inside gate last start and was cramped for room hitting the rail six or seven times,” Cole said.
“He didn’t have any room and got hampered the whole race, it didn’t help his chances and he had a lot of white paint down his side.
“Saccharo trialled good leading into that race, he just had no luck, I thought he went super.
“He has come through the run really well and I expect him to improve on the weekend with a lot more clear running after drawing seven.
“Hopefully, you’ll see a different horse, he’s a quality galloper and he’s definitely going well.”
Formerly trained by Archie Alexander in Ballarat, where he had 26 starts, Saccharo won over 1600m at Flemington and Bendigo – he was placed twice at Morphettville.
He has had 22 starts for Cole for eight wins and seven minor placings from 1200-1600m at Darwin, Alice Springs and Katherine, as well as Birdsville, Longreach, Betoota and Bedourie in Queensland.
Cole had a big day last Saturday after He’s Maverick toppled fellow three-year-olds over 1300m (BM66) and debutante Conclave Prince saluted by 7.3 lengths over 1200m (Class 2).
“He’s Maverick was sent to me by trainer Kym Healy, who arrived from Strathalbyn last Saturday, and he’s now going to the Guineas next Saturday,” Cole said.
“Conclave Prince was a little bit of a surprise – I knew he had really good form and good first up form, but he wasn’t showing much during trackwork.
“I contacted one of his old Ballarat trackwork riders and she said that he never worked good at all, but that he’s a good horse on race day.”