By Neil Evans
Tough provincial sprinter Sightseer will likely set his sights on a midweek metropolitan sprint, or even a Saturday Highway, if he takes the next step at Tuesday’s Tamworth meeting.
The four-year-old of I Am Invincible has mixed his form so much since late winter, connections were still scratching their heads over the right form combination.
But a powerful win from just off the speed in a Class 1 at Muswellbrook late last month has convinced Gosford-based trainer Greg McFarlane that Sightseer has turned the corner.
Before that win over 1000m, where he beat the capable sprinter Mr Wallace as a well-backed favourite, Sightseer was almost taking it in turns to put good and bad runs together.
Muswellbrook was the go-to track, having twice run close seconds there in mid-August and September before the recent success.
Around those runs, he was beaten a long way in two deeper provincial sprints, suggesting he’s got some more country “fish to fry” before tackling metro opposition.
But with leading jockey Aaron Bullock sticking, and a deliberate move to give him five weeks between runs, Sightseer looks primed to go back-to-back and head for bigger targets.
He has drawn ideally to roll forward into the first few for his Tamworth debut, and despite a weight rise to 61 kilograms, looked the one to beat around $3.20 in early betting.
His likely danger, and naturally a big market watch in the final race on the card, is resuming five-year-old Sixfootone from the Jake Hull yard at Gosford.
A talented son of five-year-old Toronado, Sixfootone ($3.40) comes to hand early in his prep and looked ready for a strong return via an easy trial at Wyong two weeks ago.
Like Sightseer, he has good tactical speed, and can position up close to the speed before a surge over the final 300m.
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au