Dave Eustace has hinted that his galloper Duke De Sessa will be a hot chance in this weekend’s $5 million Caulfield Cup (2400m).
Eustace gave a big push for the five-year-old saying that he and co-trainer Ciaron Maher thought Duke De Sessa would peak at the distance, and that he is primed and ready for the race.
“We’ve been saying the whole way through that this is his race,” Eustace said on SENTrack’s Giddy Up.
“He gets to the right trip, he’s got tactical speed for a stayer.”
The son of Lope de Vega, out of Dark Crusader, battled on during the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington two weeks ago when finishing sixth, after kicking off his campaign at Caulfield in the Memsie Stakes where he was restricted for room in the straight.
Despite at times being luckless in both runs, Eustace has still been impressed with the build-up for the Caulfield Cup.
“We were happy with his Turnbull run, he drops to 53.5kgs and we’ve been very, very happy with him,” he said.
“We think he’ll run a big race.”
Prior to his Australian career, Duke De Sessa was racing in Ireland where he won two races over 2400m and being undefeated over the distance.
The horse will be fitter for the two lead up runs this preparation and the rise in distance will play into the hands of Duke De Sessa with the market giving him plenty of value at $35 via Sportsbet.
John Allen is set to take the ride at 53kg with barrier 14 to negotiate.
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