Visinari now canny with Cranny
A PRACTICE spin around the tight-turning circuit has done Cranbourne Cup favourite Visinari the world of good ahead of the $500,000 feature race on Saturday.
The best Cranbourne Cup field assembled is laden with quality, including multiple Group 1 winner Callsign Mav, and speed from bold frontrunners No Effort and Buffalo River
Visinari, the $4.60 favourite with TAB, will jump from the “perfect” barrier seven, affording the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained galloper an economical run to be “there to attack on the corner”.
Stablemate Our Playboy, who finished second behind King Magnus in the Cranbourne Cup last year, drew barrier two in the crack 1600m handicap.
“We were hoping to draw inside eight with both of them, looks to be a lot of speed in this race,” Kent Jr said.
“I’m glad they’ve drawn soft, it makes things a lot more uncomplicated.”
Second favourite Uncle Bryn ($7.50) has drawn barrier eight, next to Visinari.
Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes winner Callsign Mav will jump from barrier 10, while Crosshaven, a $23 hope, has the widest of 15 alleys.
About 30 horses running at Cranbourne on Saturday were given the chance to gallop on the course proper last Tuesday.
Visinari got around OK but crabbed on the final turn.
From barrier seven the big Visinari should be guided around the final bend with horses on his outside.
“From the 700m it’s turning, turning, turning until you straighten up with 250m to go,” Kent Jr said.
“I think the barrier draw allows us to get into a nice spot where we’re not posted … hopefully he’s just behind the speed and be there to attack on the corner.”
Visinari will appreciate the cut out of the ground with rain forecast for the Cranbourne area this week.