Trainer Ashley Maley is adamant Megg’s Currency can overcome a distance query and will prove a formidable force in the $90,000 XXXX-Gold Geraldton Cup (2100m) on Sunday.
Megg’s Currency is yet to win beyond 1820m and has failed in six attempts at the cup journey, but Maley insists the Courvoisier mare won’t be making up the numbers.
Megg’s Currency is up against her toughest line-up that includes the powerful presence of top trainer, Adam Durrant, who is chasing his third country cup in a fortnight.
Durrant, who prepared Tick Tick Bloom to win the Bunbury Cup (2200m) and Marden the Mount Barker Cup (2000m), will saddle Peck and Ora Dare.
Durrant, the state’s leading trainer, is chasing his first Geraldton Cup after previous placings with Hibernian (2012) and Great Destiny (2010).
Maley believes Megg’s Currency is primed for her Geraldton Cup assault and opted for that path after she attacked the line strongly at Ascot.
She won over the mile three starts back before consecutive fourths behind Flying Force (1800m) and Night Prowler (1600m) respectively.
“Apart from her last effort she has run the fastest final 600m,” said Maley.
“She has been running on really well and I’m more than happy with the way she is going.
“I have no concerns about her getting the trip and there have been excuses for her previous failures.
“I wanted to target this race last year but her form didn’t warrant a start.
“Her form this time is far superior and she will be having a fair dinkum crack.
“If luck goes her way she is in with a very real chance.
“She is happy and comfortable and that’s what you want with a mare.”
Maley was given a major confidence boost after securing the services of former home town hero, Dom Tourneur, to take the Megg’s Currency mount.
Tourneur was Geraldton’s Leading Rider on six occasions between 1997 and 2004 before carving out a successful Group 1 career in Adelaide.
He appeared in Bunbury last week for their cup meeting and rode a double including the State of Origin Jockey Challenge on Lady Natesa.
Tourneur replaces Shaun McGruddy who has elected to ride the Trevor Andrews-trained five-year-old gelding, Paseo Del Prado.
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