Lyle Chandler has never won a race on his home track of Scone but punters believe he can break his duck with Banju in the Scone Cup on Friday.
The Englishman moved to Scone three years ago after gaining experience with John O’Shea, and Banju was one of the first horses to arrive at the stable.
Banju winning a Highway Handicap at Rosehill in January.Credit: Getty
Banju has become the star of the stable but, like many others for Chandler, he has run placings at Scone, including a third in last year’s Country Championships Wild Card.
The talented miler has become a regular winner in Sydney and has already qualified for the Big Dance after winning the Tamworth Cup (1400m) last start.
Banju won three on end and was a brave runner-up to King Frankel in the Parramatta Cup, but Chandler opted to wait for the Scone Cup.
“I just thought if we stopped then and let him have a little break he would still have residual fitness for the Scone Cup, and it looked the right race for him being over the mile,” Chandler said.
“I looked at his rating after those wins and knew he would get into this race, and it was a matter of getting the preparation right.
“I thought the Tamworth Cup might be a bit short for him but he won there and has taken so much improvement from that run, so we’re really happy going into this race.”
Chandler sees barrier 12 as a challenge for Banju but is confident jockey Aaron Bullock will be able to get in down the long back straight at Scone.
The free-running Banju has learnt to settle and has scored six of his eight wins since the blinkers were applied 13 starts ago.
“He used to be very hard-going in his races and when we first put the blinkers on it was still a bit of battle, but he is much relaxed in his races now,” Chandler said. “He can find a position in a field, and there seems to be enough speed in the race on Friday for him to find a spot.
“He is very well and at his peak. It would be great for the owners to win the Scone Cup because they are local, and it would be a good race to get my first win on the track.”
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