By Ray Hickson
In his autumn preparation of Duke de Sessa, Jockey Harry Coffey has seen enough so far to be confident that the group would be 1 1.5 million US dollar Kia Tancred Stakes (2400 m) in Rosehill on a arid route.
Jockey Harry Coffey (picture: racing photos)
But throw the view of rain in the run-up to the race on Saturday and the chance of lending its weight for the age of his Caulfield Cup victory from spring over 2400 m is a source of great anticipation for the popular tire.
Coffey acknowledges that there are many form lines that come together in the Tancred, but the gelding could not arrive in a better mood in Sydney.
“His two runs were very good and probably a bit about the expectation, because we wanted to go to Sydney fit and thrust to make a cushioned trace,” said Coffey.
“Although the route was first classified, it drove more like a cushioned route, and that made it possible for him to return so well.
“The other day on the firm deck, because it was stopped and it had an basic time, he was still cheerful to sprint on this route. He is very, very, very well in the moist.
“The horse does not owe anything to anyone, whether it is good enough to give Vauban and Dubai honor that we do not know, but he works as well as possible.”
Duke de Sessa, 7 US dollars with Tab on Thursday, made his Australian debut in the Doncaster Mile 2023 and took eighth place behind Mr. Brightside, but it was last spring when he was grown up with his Caulfield Cup victory.
After a success of the group 3 on the JRA plate in Caulfield on February 8, the six-year-old showed that three weeks ago he was at the destination with a lucky second in the Australian Cup prelude over 2000 m, where Coffey should have won.
“I don't think anyone would change the expectations of anyone because it is clear that he is going well,” he said.
“It is basic to see how it runs consistently and wants to attack the line, also sprint well, although we may not see it so much on Saturday on Saturday.”
The Tancred is a race that a well -known leader is missing, and Coffey noticed that in the run -up to the race, but it is also something that appeals to him.
Although he does not suggest that he plan to take running, he says that the race has a familiar feeling.
“It looks very similar to how the Caulfield Cup said in my opinion,” he said.
“We got a good time early, then we deny that the knowledge went around and took it in and I used it as a rabbit.
“Many of his opponents like to let him prepare and apply him as rabbits because he is a horse that is transported from 600 m or 800 m to his race. He will be back into the first couple and there will be drivers of other horses who try to get his back.”
Trainer Ciaron Maher agrees with Coffey's assessment of the form in which Duke de Sessa assesses and said he couldn't be happier how he will get his main goal.
“Usually you think he needs a bit of a cut to find his best, but his first run was great and he wins the other day, he was only stopped there a little,” said Maher on the radio in Melbourne.
“This is usually not his style, so I think that he is in the best form in career and the weather looks like he is going in his way.
Middle Earth storms home at the Australian Cup prelude 🚀
Mark Zahra and @cMaheracing, which both duplicate in flemington 👏 pic.twitter.com/etes9kh4ic
– 7horseracation 🐎 (@7horseracation) March 8, 2025
Duke de Sessa runs second in Flemington on March 8th (video: 7Horsage on X)
“It's great to bring Harry Coffey to Sydney, and hopefully you can drive around there and do the work.”
Duke de Sessa will have 56.5 kg in the Sydney Cup next month, but he has no guarantee to go there, even though the reigning Sydney Cup winner is heading for a defense of this race.
A second quarter behind Vauban was enough to convince Maher that Circle of Fire will pursue as hoped, and he expects a further improvement in the Tancred.
“It was a solid run the other day and he enjoys the further trip, he is certainly in good condition and his runs were full of merits,” he said.
All fields, shape and repetitions for the day of operation in Rosehill
