Ivan Lister is bullish about Burning The Clock’s chances at Wednesday’s Flemington meeting.
There is just one thing standing in the way.
Burning The Clock ($35) needs a spot in the final field.
The Ardmona-based trainer’s in-form sprinter is second emergency for the fifth race, the Ms Peacock Restaurant and Bar Sprint (1200m).
With a maximum field of 12, Burning The Clock (14) is relying on scratchings to take his place in the benchmark 64 race.
Lister was hopeful that his eight-year-old gelding would find his way to headquarters for the midweek meeting.
“About five of them that are entered have all nominated for other meetings, so hopefully a couple are scratched and we head down,” Lister said on his way back from Benalla trials on Tuesday.
“I expect a pretty good run from him, but if he doesn’t get a run he’ll head to Yarra Valley on Friday.
“Hopefully we’re going tomorrow, we won’t find out until 9am tomorrow, but he’s fit and well and raring to go.”
Burning The Clock is eyeing off back-to-back victories following a last start win at Swan Hill.
Lister has kept the preparation the same, a few trips to the water walker at Brett Bunfield’s and a jump-out at Bendigo on Tuesday, December 12.
A third finish behind Listed-stakes winner Propice in that trial pleased the Lister-ownership group.
Lister was excited to get Burning The Clock down to the metro track and in benchmark 64 company.
“He drops four kilos in weight and ever since we’ve had him he’s never raced at 56kg,” he said.
“His only race down the straight was a stakes race last year on Oaks Day and he ran good in that, only beaten five lengths. Neil Farley (jockey) said after that race, which was over the 1000m, ‘next time you bring him down get him over 1200m’.
“You know the horse that won that race then went on to race in the Everest this year, they were top class sprinters that day.
“He had a trial at Bendigo last week and it was only a tick over gallop with tomorrow or Friday in mind. It was ideal for him; the horses in the trial have won numerous times and it wasn’t a hopeless trial by any means.”