Alsa Doll ready for two-miler

WHILE the horses that are set to contest the Melbourne Cup at Flemington today are being prepared for the 3200-metre race that stops a nation, a halfdozen Tasmanian stayers will be tackling a 3200-metre event of their own in Hobart.

The fourth race on the seven-event card at Elwick is the Jet Couriers Open Handicap over the same distance as the Melbourne Cup. And while none of the runners could ever envisage taking part in the richest two-mile handicap in the world, the race looks set to produce a keen contest with premier trainer Scott Brunton likely to provide the favourite.

Alsa Doll has only recently joined the Brunton stable after a moderately successful campaign in Victoria.

The mare returned to Tasmania and was immediately set for today’s race.

“When we saw the 3200m race had been programmed for Melbourne Cup day we immediately made plans to bring the mare back from Victoria and give her a couple of starts leading up to the race,” said part-owner Stephen Heathcote, who races the mare in partnership with Carol Bakes.

Alsa Doll tuned up for today’s assignment with a game win over 2400m in Hobart two weeks ago.

Her main danger appears to be her stablemate Gladstone who has yet to win beyond 2200 metres but as there is little depth in the race he must be considered a sound each-way chance.

Bidirectional was beaten by Alsa Doll last start over 2400m so he is suspect at the trip while the balance of the field have yet to win beyond 1900m.

The winner of the race earns points that can help qualify the horse for a start in the $300,000 one-off Jericho Cup run over 4600 metres at Warrnambool next year.

The make-up of the field will be determined by runners earning points in races over 3000m or more on the flat and also in feature jumps races the Great Eastern Steeple and the Grand Annual Steeple.

The Warrnambool Racing Club is hoping it becomes an annual event.

The Brunton stable could have a good day at the office with Nunivak likely to start a short-price favourite to win race six and in race seven the stable has the top three chances in Taramaya, Box of Frogs and Streetwise Savoire.