Wide Draw Looms As A Drawback For Kavak
Chris Munce will not change the racing pattern of in-form sprinter Kavak despite a wide alley at Doomben.
Kavak will start from the outside barrier in the 10-horse field for The Sports Hub Handicap (1200m) with the added burden of shouldering top weight of 59 kilograms.
The three-year-old led all the way to win in similar grade at his latest appearance on October 24 and will attempt a repeat of those tactics on Saturday.
“He’ll have to be used up a bit I suppose because in my opinion he’s a better speed horse than trying to do any magic tricks on him,” Munce said.
“If Larry (Cassidy) is able to do that and control the race he’ll be in the finish again, that’s for sure.”
Kavak won at his debut at Eagle Farm before finishing second in the Phelan Ready Stakes at his lead-up to the Magic Millions where he finished second last to Away Game.
The son of Deep Field performed creditably in a handful of starts during the late autumn before he was spelled and gelded.
Kavak has been successful at his only two starts this campaign and is headed towards the Magic Millions meeting at the Gold Coast in January, although Munce hasn’t finalised which race will be his target.
“Kavak’s in good form. He’s racing with confidence and he’s in a good frame of mind,” Munce said.
TAB fixed odds has installed Kavak a $2.90 favourite ahead of Dominant King ($3.80) who is stepping up to Saturday grade following an impressive win at Ipswich on October 28.
Dominant King will be advantaged by drawing perfectly in barrier three and drops three kilograms on the weight he carried to victory at Ipswich.
Munce will also be represented by Stampe in the Listed Keith Noud Quality (1200m) with Sean Cormack booked to ride.
Stampe finished a solid third when resuming from a spell at Doomben on October 17 and boasts a superior second-up record.
Eagle Farm trainer Chris Anderson is desperately hoping for a scratching from the Noud to enable first emergency Profit to gain a start.