Trainer Keith Dryden is prepared to forgive a last start failure when accessing the Roman Alliance’s chances in Sunday’s $17,000 Merimbula Jazz Festival Cup (1200m) at the Sapphire Coast.
The gelding was a last start 6.6 length ninth to Stylish Lad in a 1460m Benchmark 64 event at Queanbeyan on May 11. He had previously scored second-up over 1200m at Canberra on April 14.
“At Queanbeyan they walked early then sprinted home. They just left us behind,” Dryden said. “He’s a horse that is suited with pace on and I think dropping back to 1200-metres will suit him better with a stronger tempo.”
Roman Alliance, a winner of five from 27 starts, has been kept up to the mark by Dryden since Queanbeyan.
“He pulled up good after the race,” Dryden added. “I’ve kept him up to the mark, kept him ticking over well. He had a jump out since when he ran second and worked home right to the line.”
Dryden debated on the Sapphire Coast run before accepting: “It’s a race he can be competitive in provided there is pace on,” Dryden said. “Hopefully we can ride him a bit closer than last time. The horse has done well.”
Dryden owns 60 per cent of Roman Alliance.
“After he’d won three races the blokes in the original syndicate wanted to get out. They thought he’d just about found his mark. I finished up buying him for $6000, kept 60 per cent and some of the previous owners stayed in him and we found other owners to take up the balance. He’s more than recouped the outlay.”
Roman Alliance has won $64,210 and will be ridden by Brendan Ward, jumping from barrier four in the 11-horse field.
Jazz fans are in for a treat at the TAB Saddle Up Sunday meeting with bands playing, a Fashions on the Field contest and other family entertainment including a jumping castle for kids.
– Racing NSW
