Get in Tune for Gold Cup

Jimmie

Uppa Tune has the upper hand in tomorrow's Gold Cup after working like a horse possessed Sunday morning, 1:12.2 for six furlongs, popping the eyes of STAR Post To Post tipster, The Clockman, who said he was most impressed with the gallop.

"That 1:12.2 for six furlongs, Sunday morning, that's the fastest six furlongs I have seen in a long while at the track," he said, adding that he has no fear of Wayne DaCosta's FORTUNEONEHUNDRED spoiling things for Harry Parsard's speedster.

"I believe he is a better horse this year than last year. Despite 57.0 kilos, I believe he will last home. He can stay behind FORTUNEONEHUNDRED. He doesn't have to go in a speed duel with him. He can sit behind him and go past whenever he is ready," he pointed out.

What The Clockman didn't mention was the presence of UNCLE TAF, who knows to run one way, from in front, which should keep FORTUNEONEHUNDRED honest, allowing Paul Francis aboard UPPA TUNE to concentrate on the bigger DaCosta threat, PERFECT NEIGHBOUR.

At 1400 metres, PERFECT NEIGHBOUR's only chance of beating UPPA TUNE is if Francis gets his timing wrong and goes after the leaders too soon.

Beaten a length by stablemate POTCHEEN in the Gold Cup last year, UPPA TUNE returned an even more versatile runner this season, winning from 1000 metres straight to 1500 metres. Despite finishing a close-up fifth to POTCHEEN in the Lotto Sprint on May 23, his next three races showed that the six-year-old had come on a ton.

His only loss in three runs since was the 1800-metre Viceroy Trophy. Running at odds of 4-1, he sat off splits being set by stablemate PETE'SWILDONE and FORTUNEONEHUNDRED before making his move three and a half furlongs out.

past rivals

Sent after the leaders, UPPA TUNE glided past rivals to turn for home two lengths clear with

ALL CORRECT and PERFECT NEIGHBOUR hot on his heels. Up to a furlong and a half out, he was still the leader before tiring under 57.0 kilos.

Should Francis employ similar waiting tactics going 1400 metres, allow the speed to come back to him, not attack too early, he should have enough in the tank to fend off any run-on threat.

PERFECT NEIGHBOUR might have got within a length and quarter of UPPA TUNE in the 1200-metre None Such Sprint, but that was after Harry Parsard's runner had carried the pace himself.

POTCHEEN didn't look up to the task in the September 5 None Such Sprint and hasn't excited at exercise since to be given a look-in to successfully defend his Gold Cup title.