Racing
Wet track specialist Piggyback ready to roll in the mud
Piggyback will have an important gear change in her hunt for a fifth career win.
While the Ciaron Maher stable is banking on the addition of blinkers to bring out the best in consistent mare Piggyback, Sydney's week of wet weather could also play a critical role.
Piggyback has two wins and a placing from three starts on heavy tracks and with Rosehill already in that range and further showers forecast, she appears certain to strike her favoured conditions on Saturday.
A daughter of Trapeze Artist, Piggyback kicked off her latest campaign with a win at Warwick Farm but has had a frustrating sequence of third and fourth finishes since.
Johann Gerard-Dubord, Sydney foreman for Maher, says the combination of a gear change and the wet conditions should make her hard to beat in the Jockeys Appreciation Handicap (2000m).
"She's three weeks between runs, she will love the wet and 2000 metres is the right trip," Gerard-Dubord said.
"She is a very casual horse. She actually trialled in blinkers at her second trial this prep so she has had them on before but they should stimulate her a bit more and help her travel better.
"Last start she didn't jump and she had a lot of work to do. I thought she was very brave to still finish where she finished (fourth to Aberlour).
"She's had a good campaign and she looks as good as she has all prep."
Stablemate and early race favourite Juja Kibo could be Piggyback's biggest stumbling block.
A dominant last start winner on a soft track at Sandown, he is lightly raced and still improving and Gerard-Dubord anticipates a bold run at his Sydney debut.
Stablemate Naval Commission has been scratched after running at Warwick Farm on Wednesday, while the Maher-trained Federer has also been withdrawn and will bypass Rosehill in preference for drier conditions at Flemington.
"Juja Kibo was very good last start and stepping up in trip will suit," Gerard-Dubord said.
"He's an import who is still on the way up and he will enjoy the conditions.
"Federer will head down to Victoria. He's looking for a better track, he has drawn well there and he is ready to win."
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