TASMANIAN galloper Conquering will take good form into this Saturday’s Group 2 Patinack Farm Crystal Mile over 1600 metres at Moonee Valley.
Conquering was a game second to top Queensland sprinter-miler Our Lukas in last Sunday’s Group 3 Seymour Cup (1600m).
The Charlie Goggin-trained gelding led and when he was challenged strongly and headed 200m out he fought back and looked set to win until Our Lukas arrived on the scene after enjoying a cushy run just off the speed.
“I though Conquering ran a terrific race and it took a very good horse that had enjoyed a cushy run to beat him,” Goggin said.
“The horse has pulled up really well from the run and he will go into the Crystal Mile in peak condition,” he said.
Conquering finished second in the Crystal Mile two years ago when ridden by Darren Gauci but on Saturday the gelding will be partnered by Blake Shinn who rode him for the first time last Sunday.
“Blake (Shinn) was more than pleased to stick with him for his next assignment,” Goggin said.
Conquering had been carrying huge weights in Tasmania, averaging 65.5kg from his three outings on home soil this preparation.
He dropped to 56.5kg in the Seymour Cup and while he goes up in weight for this Saturday’s race to 58.5kg it is still a far cry from the weight he’s had to carry in Tasmania.