CRANBOURNE trainer Mick Kent believes you have to be a realist I the racing game which is why he is not prepared to talk up his AAMI Hobart Cup candidate Red Buttons.
Despite having won four of his past five starts he has such a high regard for Tasmania’s star stayer Dream pedlar that he will be happy if his charge can finish second to the Troy Blacker-trained gelding.
“Of course I want red Buttons to win the race and he will go into the race in great shape and in top form,” Kent said.
“But realistically my horse will have to do something special to beat Dream Pedlar if that horse has a clean run in the race.”
“Dream Pedlar beat my horse My Bentley in the Bendigo Cup so I have aimed that horse at the Mornington Cup.”
“But we are there and in the race with a chance,” he said.
Red Buttons won the Moe Cup (2050m) and the Kyneton Cup (2000m) before having his colours lowered in the Cranbourne Cup (2000m) in which was ridden closer to the pace and faded over the concluding stages.
But the six-year-old Red ransom gelding bounced back with an impressive win over 1800 metres at Sandown three weeks ago.
“We are mindful that the Hobart track can be tricky for a first-time user but this horse is versatile and he is strong,” Kent said.
Red Buttons is quoted at $6.00 on the second line of betting behind Dream Pedlar with Betasport.
For the latest odds – click here .