Co-trainer Peter Giadresco believes the stable’s 2017 AJ Scahill Stakes runner on Saturday Profit Street has the measure of the other locals in the mix and is more than deserving to round out his prep with a win.
Darren Weir’s Melbourne galloper Ulmann is the unknown in Saturday’s AJ Scahill Stakes 2017 field at Ascot Racecourse. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.
A smart nine-horse field of weight-for-age hopefuls do battle in this season’s Group 2 $250,000 A.J. Scahill Stakes (1400m) and eight hail from W.A. stables.
The only interstate raider in the mix is the Darren Weir-trained Ulmann to be ridden by Brad Rawiller form gate eight.
Ulmann is out to atone for his close eighth when 2.25 lengths off the upset locally-trained winner Great Shot in the Group 1 $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) on November 25 in his Perth racing debut.
The super-consistent Viscount six-year-old Profit Street meanwhile is also down in grade from an elite level run, the Bunbury-based gelding having placed 2.75 lengths back fourth to Viddora in the Group 1 $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) on December 2.
The latest AJ Scahill Stakes betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au have five of the acceptors under $10 for the win including the firming favourite Variation ($3.30), Stephen Miller’s War Chant four-year-old under a length away fourth in the Railway Stakes last start.
Ulmann meanwhile is the equal $4.40 second elect with State Solicitor who was disappointing running eighth in the Winterbottom Stakes a fortnight ago.
Just further down the AJ Scahill Stakes odds at $5 is Profit Street drawn the outside barrier with Jarrad Noske coming aboard for the horse’s summer swansong.
“I’m not bothered by barrier nine,” Giadresco told Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA).
“He will be ridden a little quieter and can then have the last crack at them.”
Profit Street hasn’t finished worse than fourth in his nine runs going back to May, but hasn’t enjoyed a win since the Listed H.G. Bolton Sprint (1200m) won in the wet at Belmont in late July.
Yet to win over further than 1300m, Profit Street has consistent place form at the Ascot track but hasn’t enjoyed a win at Perth’s premier course since April.
Still, Giadresco heads into Saturday’s race with a quiet confidence naming Ulmann as the only real danger.
“I believe I have the locals pretty much covered,” he said.
“He is right to go and deserves a big win.
“The only horse I don’t have much of a handle on is Ulmann.
“But my horse is ready to pull out a big effort.”
Giadresco added that the weight-for-age conditions of the AJ Scahill Stakes suited Profit Street who was paddock-bound after Saturday’s race.
“My horse can carry weight and I think he will be suited at weight-for-age,” he said.
“Many of the other horses have to carry 59kg and that will be a big difference for a lot of them.
“He hasn’t really run a bad race throughout the year.
“He probably isn’t up to the elite level yet, but this race is not as strong as the Winterbottom.
“He is ready to be up there and put in a great race.”
To check out the weekend’s best racing odds and offers including those on the AJ Scahill Stakes 2017 visit Ladbrokes.com.au.
