Goulburn trainer John Bateman looks a realistic chance of winning with Common Purpose and It’s A Lottery, his only two chances at his home track on Monday.
The duo couldn’t have been any more consistent with Common Purpose finishing second at his two starts to date and It’s A Lottery breaking through last start after four straight placings.
Bateman’s main concern with Common Purpose, to be ridden by Mathew Cahill, is the outside draw in 14.
“He has finished second both times and the winners look promising so he has fairly good form,” Bateman said.
“The draw is a problem, but it won’t stop him if he is good enough.”
Common Purpose ran second at Goulburn last time out with the third place getter, Volpe, winning next start at Wagga.
It’s A Lottery has also been right in the mix in all of his runs and was rewarded with a break through victory at his eighth start at the Sapphire Coast.
Starting a short priced favourite, It’s A Lottery did what was asked of him and his trainer feels he has taken benefit from the win.
“He is working a bit better, is more switched on and fitter for the run,” he said.
“The mile is right for him at this stage, but he will get further – You need a horse that can run 1800 metres to win over a mile at Goulburn.”
Volpe will oppose It’s A Lottery while Victory Anthem is another last start winner worthy of consideration.
It’s A Lottery, who will be ridden by Richard Bensley, is a full brother to 2014 Albury Cup winner Canny Ballad. His first three wins were at Goulburn and last year took out the Darwin Cup.
“The same syndicate had Canny Ballad and It’s A Lottery has done a good job so far,” Bateman said.
“It’s a tougher race but he has come on from his last run.”
There will be a lot of interest in the second start of Il Bandito for Matthew Dale and Tommy Berry in the Class 1 (1000m).
Il Bandito put a gap between his rivals over the final 300 metres with a brilliant debut victory at Wagga and if he performs up to expectations he will win again.
He will start the shortest priced favourite on the eight race program.
– Racing NSW
