Favourite primed for tilt at the Cup
TJ COMERFORD has dispatched stamina queries over Melbourne Cup favourite Yucatan while predicting stablemates The Cliffsofmoher and Rostropovich are primed to peak at Flemington on Tuesday.
Buoyant after Yucatan’s strong 1400m gallop with The Cliffsofmoher, Comerford said Lloyd Williams’ and Aidan O’Brien’s decision to bypass the Caulfield Cup with Herbert Power Stakes winner Yucatan was right.
“I think Lloyd and Aidan called it right. He needed that time after Caulfield and it’s important to have the horse right for the Melbourne Cup,” Comerford said.
“I suppose missing out that race has made all the difference. He was a little sore after he ran that first day but he’s bounced back lovely.
“When he gets down for his (sand) roll and when he gets up, he’s bouncing and at leaving time he does it again.”
Asked about stepping the import up to 3200m, he said: “I don’t think it’s a problem. He saw out the mile-and-a-half (2400m) well and he was ridden very positive as well.
“If you ride a race on him for two miles he should stay it.”
Comerford said The Cliffsofmoher was ready to improve on his Caulfield Cup third.
“He’s back going well. He looks unreal. His dapples are coming out. He’s come on in leaps and bounds,” he said.
Pressed on which of the two horses he preferred, Comerford said: “If you asked me to ride one, I’d be riding Yucatan.”
He said Rostropovich had recovered well from his Cox Plate fifth behind Winx.
“He’s never been asked to go that quick,” Comerford said.
“He wants a mile-and-a-half plus. Next start he’s stepping out over two miles with eight stone (51kg) on his back. That will be a big difference to him.
“There’s a nice gap to the Melbourne Cup.
“He took the race well and it’s a good stepping stone to the Melbourne Cup.”