Sydney Cup blow for gun stayer
Boom English stayer Post Impressionist has been ruled out of the Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Owner Lloyd Williams revealed Post Impressionist was sent for a spell after the gelding flopped as favourite in the Tancred Stakes last start. Williams took the blame for the stayer’s poor Tancred showing which came seven days after his impressive Sydney debut win in the Manion Cup.
“It was my mistake running the horse on the seven day back-up,” Williams said.
“William Haggas (English trainer) was doubtful on the seven days – he was negative about running and he was right.
“This was entirely a ‘Williams’ mistake.
“I have been bringing horses here since 1986, I should have known better.”
Williams is being hard on himself as Post Impressionist was so good winning the Manion Cup and the Tancred Stakes seemed a viable option as the field did not include a genuine weight-for-age horse.
Post Impressionist was sent out the $2.50 favourite for the Tancred but failed to reproduce the brilliant acceleration he showed a week earlier in the Manion Cup and ran last behind Kalapour.
Williams, who has owned a record seven Melbourne Cup winners, confirmed Post Impressionist would stay in Australia and be sent to trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman to be prepared for the famous Flemington two-miler on the first Tuesday in November.
With Post Impressionist out of the Sydney Cup, the Chris Waller-trained More Felons is $4.50 favourite ahead of Ashrun and Circle Of Fire at $6.