Peter Snowden is confident that Touristic is in excellent condition and expects the horse to demonstrate his best form at Rosehill, despite a below-par performance last time out.
Touristic, who commenced his preparation in the Festival Stakes (1500m) in November, will be making his tenth start of the campaign in Saturday’s W J McKell Cup (2000m).
It’s a demanding workload that few horses could endure, but Touristic has thrived, winning the Canberra Cup in March and securing placings in the January and Gosford Cups.
Although he was soundly defeated in the Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at his most recent start, Snowden suggested that the race’s circumstances, rather than the gelding’s condition, were responsible for the result.
“Things didn’t work out,” Snowden remarked. “We’ve learned from that. It’s all about riding him the right way. Ride him to his strengths, and he’ll run really well.”
A six-time winner, Touristic boasts five victories on tracks with moisture, and Snowden is hopeful for conducive conditions on Saturday.
Snowden indicated that if the conditions are favourable, all indications from his stable suggest a rapid resurgence from the seven-year-old.
“I would like to see the track a little wetter, but they are forecasting a few showers on Saturday. A five, six or seven is perfect for him,” he stated. “He can turn this around on Saturday, no problem. He loves racing, and he’s in really good shape.”
With Rotagilla’s scratching in favour of a Brisbane race, Touristic will now face nine opponents. These include the 2024 McKell Cup victor Golden Path, the in-form God’s Window, and the up-and-coming stayer Tavros from Tamworth trainer Craig Martin.
Betting sites are offering competitive racing odds for the W J McKell Cup.