PRESENT Sense will back up in Monday’s $30,000 Hopefuel Gunnedah Cup (1600m) after drawing well and overcoming a tough run in Sunday’s Narromine Cup.
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The Craig Martin-trained gelding son of Bryannbo’s Gift drew barrier one on Thursday morning and will drop 1.5 kilogram in weight after carrying 57kg in a two-length third to A Magic Zariz in Sunday’s 1600m Narromine Cup.
“That was always the plan – to run in the Narromine Cup and come back to Gunnedah,” Martin said. “He was a tad underdone for Narromine but pulled up okay.”
While he will have 55.5kg in the Gunnedah Cup, he will meet one of his main adversaries, the Brett Cavanough-trained Avroson, winner of the Curlewis Cup at Gunnedah on July 7.
Present Sense finished second by 1.38 lengths in the Curlewis Cup after starting favourite.
Present Sense had 56kg that day while Avroson had 54kg and will carry 54.5kg on Monday. Present Sense will jump from the one alley in the Gunnedah Cup and Avroson from barrier four.
Both horses have been in good form. Present Sense won three in a row before notching a pair of seconds in the Curlewis Cup and the Maclean Cup at Grafton and then his gallant third at Narromine on Sunday.
“He has done a great job for us,” Martin said.
“He won his first race for us and now he’s running in Cups.”
The horse has won four of his 17 starts for $78,350 in prize money. He was bought as a birthday present for Martin’s son Liam.
Avroson followed his Curlewis Cup win with a 2200m success at Grafton on July 12 during the Clarence River Jockey Club’s monster July Racing Carnival before heading to Sydney to finish ninth in a $100,000 Open handicap over 1800m.
Stablemates Yours Mine Ours (9) and Escebee (12) have drawn wider barriers in the main support race on Monday, the $22,000 Fuchs Lubricants Lightning (1000m) while Tamworth trainer Sue Grills also has a pair of runners in the sprint – Hammoon Boy (1) and Polskie Prince (6).
The 2015 Gunnedah Cup winner, Pippi’s Pride, is also in the Lightning, although the Stephen Gleeson-trained gelding drew wide in 11.