Willby Rules to take next step in Cup bid
TRAINER Nigel Schuuring thought enough of his handy middle-distance galloper Willby Rules to venture across the pond to Melbourne for two races earlier this season, and while unsuccessful it has helped take the gelding to a new level.
Willby Rules has an outstanding record on the synthetic at Spreyton, which is why Schuuring is quietly confident he has a genuine chance of winning the Devonport Cup next month. The gelding scored an emphatic win at Spreyton at his most recent outing and today the trainer is hoping Willby Rules can win the Sheffield Cup (1650m) and take winning form into the Devonport Cup 15 days later.
Willby Rules produced a barnstorming finish to outgun Tammany Hall in a benchmark 72 handicap over 1350m, after which Schuuring said the gelding would take great benefit from the run.
“The horse has done exceptionally well since his last start win and I am confident he will be very competitive on Boxing Day and then hopefully onwards and upwards to the Devonport Cup,” Schuuring said.
“He missed a bit of work when he came home from Melbourne because of a virus, which is why his second start back from the interstate campaign was pretty much like a trial.
“I was quietly confident he would run well last start and when he won I knew I had him back to where he needs to be to head to the Devonport Cup.
“The Sheffield Cup was always a part of his program and while I don’t think he has to win it to get into the Devonport Cup it would be helpful.”
The Glenn Stevenson-trained Killin Falls comes off an eye-catching fourth in the weight-for-age $100,000 Tasmanian Stakes (1600m) in Launceston last Wednesday night and while he faces a sixday back-up the gelding has a great record on the synthetic and should be hard to beat.
Killin Falls ran a great race in the Newmarket Handicap to finish just off the placegetters and his subsequent outing in the weight-for-age Conquering confirmed he is a horse with a very bright future.
Chances also must be given to Brilliant Jet and Speed Force, who also contested the Tasmanian Stakes, while Golden Mile winner Geegees Soprano and Killin Falls’s stablemate Mr America must also be respected.
The winner of the Sheffield Cup will receive a ballot-free entry into the Devonport Cup if nominated for that race.