Jamie Kah will be back aboard South Australian stayer The Map in Wednesday week’s Geelong Cup.
Co-trainer Dan Clarken said he couldn’t be happier with the way the Adelaide Cup runner-up was progressing towards the Melbourne Cup after running fifth behind Herman Hesse in last weekend’s Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield.
“I was thrilled with the run,’’ Clarken said.
“I think she’s close to being on the money for when we need her,’’ he said.
Clarken’s opinion echoed by jockey Luke Currie who was aboard The Map for the first time.
“Luke was glowing of her effort,’’ Clarken said.
“He said he’d love to cut both legs off to be able to ride her in the (Melbourne) Cup.
“She looked to just peak the last 50m last weekend, it’s onwards and upwards towards the Geelong Cup,’’ he said.
Just who will ride The Map in the Melbourne Cup remains unclear with Kah committed to the Lloyd Williams-owned Point King and Clarken said that would become much clearer after Geelong.
“There is a lot of water to go under the bridge between now and the Melbourne Cup,’’ Clarken said.
“I think the phone will be ringing after Geelong with a few jockeys ringing next week,’’ he said.
The stable has accepted with Discreetly Blue in Saturday’s $120,000 Listed Hill Smith Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville with Todd Pannell booked to ride from barrier eight.
The stable will also have On The Scent stepping out later in the day.