By Neil Evans
Two talented and in-from gallopers look set to lock horns at the Sapphire Coast on Sunday in what shapes as one of the strongest Bega Cup fields in many years.
On Showcase day two of the popular South Coast carnival, the latest star of the national capital, Trooper Knuckle, will be gunning for a fifth win from his last six starts in the mile feature on what will be a firm track and packed-out course.
Trainer Keith Dryden is showing no signs of taking his foot off the pedal with the US-bred five-year-old, which is lining up for his seventh start since late October.
Trooper Knuckle (green cap) winning a Highway at Rosehill last start.Credit:Getty
It took a heavy track maiden win at Queanbeyan back in early November for Trooper Knuckle to turn the corner.
He then bolted in in consecutive benchmark 58 races at the same track before finishing well to beat all bar the winner in a good benchmark 70 Federal race back home.
But the next big step came two weeks ago when the stable ventured to Rosehill for a class 3 Highway, and he duly tracked the speed before charging home late.
And the form from that victory just keeps getting stronger. Stablemate Eastern Glow surged home to claim the class 3 Highway at Rosehill third up yesterday, edging out well-backed favourite King Of Spades, which had finished fourth behind Trooper Knuckle.
A big challenge awaits for Trooper Knuckle from the Joseph-Jones stable with high-class four-year-old Manderboss banging on the door fourth up having been in and around the money consistently up to benchmark 78 metropolitan class since last November.
Throw in tough provincial mare Divine Prophet, which is deep into her preparation, and hard-fit four-year-old This’llbetheone from the John O’Shea stable at Randwick among a host of chances and it is a cup that threatens to be a strong form reference for months to come.
