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WODONGA trainer Sylvia Thompson admits coming back in distance over a mile is her biggest concern with promising mare Allelu ahead of tomorrow’s $80,000 Wodonga Gold Cup.
Thompson will saddle up her first runner in her hometown cup and is sure to have plenty of admirers after Allelu scored a barnstorming last-start victory at Flemington.
But Thompson said coming back from 1700 metres to a mile was the biggest query.
“It’s a huge thrill to have a runner in your hometown cup, especially being my first,” Thompson said.
“It’s probably not ideal distance wise but I’ve freshened her up a little bit and we’ll see how she goes.
“If the race was further I would be a lot more confident — but it isn’t.
“There looks to be a lot of speed in the race, which is to her advantage.
“But it’s a short straight at Wodonga as everyone knows and it doesn’t suit backmarkers.
“We’ll go around and everyone who backed her last start will expect her to win but it’s not always the case and it won’t be like that.”
The cup is set to be one of the most open in years with the Mike Moroney-trained Saint Or Sinner the early pre-post favourite.
Saint Or Sinner was also a last-start Flemington winner with Allelu on the fifth line of betting at $7.50.
Thompson agreed it looked an open race but was wary of the Brian Cox-trained trio of Minnie Downs, Full Hand and Smoken Cash.
“A lot of people are saying it’s not as strong a field as expected but there is still some handy horses in the race,” Thompson said.
“You have got to respect Brian’s horses, he has won the race that many times.
“His horses are a lot more seasoned.”
