If there is are concerns over Jericho Missile running out a strong 1400m in Thursday’s Tabtouch Hannans Handicap, then trainer David Harrison doesn’t subscribe to it.
A Belgravia Stakes (1200m) winner as a three-year-old, Jericho Missile can give David Harrison his second success in Kalgoorlie’s main sprint after McLurch came from near last to win in 2009.
Jericho Missile’s four career victories have been at 1100m and 1200m and in eight attempts beyond seven furlongs he has failed to pack a punch.
His best effort at the distance came when he ran second as favourite to Red Can Man in the Listed Fairetha Stakes two years ago.
Harrison is unfazed over the distance query and says if Jericho Missile can get the right run he can definitely be in the mix.
“If he can get luck in running he will run out a strong 1400m,” Harrison told The Races WA.
“I’m not worried about the trip, he ran it in the Fairetha Stakes when he was a three-year-old.
“From the barrier, he’ll be ridden cold and he should be able to get a soft run.
“He’s drawn well and won’t have to go so far back in the field.
“If he gets the luck you need in these types of races he can win the race for sure.”
Jericho Missile jumps from the middle of the 10-horse line-up and will be in the hands of in-form jockey Kyra Yuill.
Fresh from winning the Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) at Ascot last Saturday, Yuill has partnered Jericho Missile in his past two starts when he ran close fifths to Iseered Iseered in the Jolly Beggar Stakes (1000mm) and Nicopolis Stakes (1200m) respectively.
“He has been running up close behind them,” Harrison said.
“He hasn’t been too far away.
“I think this race will suit him.
“He’s just under a couple of lengths of being in the Winterbottom or Summer Scorcher type class.
“He’s a bit short of that type of company.
“This race is a suitable option.”
Harrison says Tellem We’re Comin poses the biggest threat to Jericho Missile, but the burden of top weight will be a challenge.
The Blackfriars gelding is chasing his second Hannans after winning in 2019 for Grant and Alana Williams.
Now with Dan Morton, the seven-year-old will have to equal a metric weight-carrying record with 59kg.
A last-start winner of the Farnley Stakes (1400m), Tellem We’re Comin carries 5kg more than Jericho Missile.
“He is the obvious danger and will be hard to beat, but weight can stop trains,” Harrison said.
Tabtouch has Jericho Missile at $8.50.
Tellem We’re Comin is the $4 favourite.
