Trainer Stuart Gower briefly entertained the prospect of running Darknconfidential in the Ballarat Cup, but concluded the promising stayer would be better suited tackling the easier option over the same trip.
As a result, Darknconfidential will contest the Hertz Handicap (2000m), a benchmark 84 race, rather than the Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) for which he was also nominated.
“He’s a nice horse that is only just starting to furnish into himself and I still reckon he’s another six months away,” Gower said.
“Hopefully we can be back next year for the Cup, but this year, we’ll run in the easier race.”
A five-time winner from 22 appearances, Darknconfidential contested Adelaide’s premier staying races for three-year-olds last season, and arrives off the back of his first start interstate.
That run came at Cranbourne, where he finished second to Regal Lion after a luckless passage around the tight-turning track.
“A fortnight ago, when he went to Cranbourne, that was the first time he had travelled,” Gower said.
“He actually came through that really well and it has made him wake up a bit.
“The tighter track didn’t really suit him, he’s more of a horse that likes big, roomy tracks, so Ballarat should suit him better and he definitely needs a dry track too.
“He’ll run on Saturday and then have a few weeks off and then we’ll set him back for the autumn.”
The Adelaide Cup (3200m) looms as a potential target, though Gower says the horse is yet to prove he can run out a staying marathon.
“He’s pretty relaxed, and sticks on well, but whether he would get the two miles, I don’t know,” he said.
“We’ll get through Saturday first and a worst-case scenario there might end up being some nice country Cups for him.”
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