Racing
Tough Touristic sets sights on another Cup win
Hardy campaigner Touristic will step out for the ninth time this preparation at Rosehill.
In the wake of Touristic's Lord Mayors Cup win, Peter Snowden is beginning to wonder if he might have uncovered the key to the gelding.
The six-year-old, who kicked off his current preparation in January, was having his eighth campaign start when triumphant in last month's Listed event.
While few horses manage to race that deep into a preparation, Touristic has shown he relishes it, continuing to thrive in the build up to Saturday's Listed Winter Cup (2400m) at Rosehill.
"Maybe he takes eight runs to get fit," Snowden quipped.
"There was nothing wrong with the last one. It was his peak performance.
"He looks a treat. His work was great again on Tuesday morning so we'll go to the races confident he can run well again."
Touristic has been a wonderful money-spinner for connections, winning five of his 37 starts and over $580,000 in stakes.
While all of his victories have been over middle distances, he did finish runner-up to Deny Knowledge in last year's Grafton Cup (2350m) at one of his few attempts at a staying journey.
Snowden doesn't view the 2400m of the Winter Cup as an issue and says track conditions will be more important.
"I don't think the 2400 metres will worry him," he said.
"The give in the ground has been good for him. Not a bog but just a nice (soft) seven, eight. That's a perfect track for him."
Touristic is one of four Rosehill entries for Snowden, although Hopper and Wave Breaker are both doubtful after drawing wide gates.
The Randwick horseman will have a strong presence at Eagle Farm with six runners, spearheaded by classy mares Coco Jamboo and Tashi in the Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m).
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