A GOOD drop in weight has Wodonga trainer David O’Prey upbeat about the chances of Providential at Seymour today.
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Providential ran an encouraging third on Wodonga Cup day over 1100 metres when resuming behind Sahara Night and Tommy’s Pride when forced to lump 60.5 kilograms over the unsuitable distance.
But O’Prey said the drop in weight to 57.5 kilograms today, combined with the step-up in distance to 1400 metres in the $30,000 Benchmark 70 Handicap was a lot more in Providential’s favour.
“He had to give the first and second horses 5½ kilos when resuming and 1100 metres was a bit too short for him because he is not an out-and-out sprinter,” O’Prey said.
“But the most pleasing thing for me was he looked to have his old desire to find the line, which was missing last preparation.
“Sahara Knight was always going to be hard to beat the other day with the light weight but my horse raced exactly how I wanted him to.
“Tommy’s Pride has since won at Wangaratta so the form out of the race doesn’t look too bad.”
Providential has drawn barrier five in the eight-horse field with James Winks on board.
The seven-year-old gelding failed to fire last preparation when unplaced in six runs.
“The prep before last he won easily second-up after he ran last at Echuca,” he said.
“So all things being equal he should prove ultra-competitive today.”
O’Prey said Suspicieuse looked hardest to beat after running an eye-catching second, first-up from a spell at Sale.
In an open race, Providential is quoted a $7.50 chance in pre-post markets, with Suspicieuse the early favourite at $4.40.