More than one way to win this contest

TRAINER Barbara Joseph is adamant Almost Court is not a one-dimensional frontrunner and is adaptable enough to take a sit if the speed is genuine for Group 3 $150,000 The Daily Telegraph Neville Sellwood Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens today.

Most speed maps have either Almost Court or Arbeitsam setting the pace in today’s race in what is shaping as an intriguing tactical battle.

Almost Court is coming off an all-the-way win in the Canberra Cup but Joseph says that her emerging stayer doesn’t necessarily have to lead today.

“I know Almost Court likes to lead but so does the horse of Gai’s, Arbeitsam,’’ Joseph said.

“We will run our race because Almost Court can take a sit, too.

“Either way it doesn’t worry me whether we lead or not. I just want a dry track as Almost Court needs a firm surface.’’

Almost Court has won six of his nine starts since joining the Joseph stable, going from a class 1 on the Sapphire Coast back in July to winning at Listed level in the Canberra Cup last start, where he ran his last 600m in 33.07sec — a brilliant time at the end of 2000m.

“I couldn’t believe the time he came home in, I was gobsmacked,’’ Joseph said.

“He is an exciting horse,’’ Joseph said. “You never know, he might get to races like The Metropolitan and Caulfield Cup later in the year.’’

Almost Court is rated at $9 with in overnight betting behind plunge horse One Foot In Heaven ($3.70 favourite) and Arbeitsam ($4.40).

“One of the best backed runners on the entire card is One Foot In Heaven,’’ TAB’s Andrew Georgiou said.