Caloundra trainer Natalie McCall has a chance of winning her hometown Cup but it is one of her younger horses which is earning plenty of attention at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
McCall elected to keep Spectroscope at home for the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup and will have Better Ethics in the Three-Year-Old Handicap (1600m).
She had also nominated Spectroscope in the Listed Carrington Stakes at Randwick before opting to stay at home.
A former Godolphin horse, Spectroscope has been a model of consistency without winning since he had his first run for McCall in the Sunshine Coast Cup last year.
At his last start Spectroscope ran sixth to Niccanova in the Listed Bernborough Handicap at Eagle Farm on December 28.
McCall feels the run was better than it looked as the gelding settled too far back in the middle stages.
“The leaders ran the first three placings and he would have had to run sensational sectionals to win from there,” she said.
“We only have to walk across the road if we stay here and we have had plenty of rain which suits him.”
Better Ethics has won two of his three starts and was successful at the Sunshine Coast three weeks ago.
McCall gave the three-year-old a barrier trial on Tuesday when he finished unplaced.
“He has surprised us a bit because he isn’t a flash trackworker. He was green at his last start win but I think he will keep getting better with racing,” she said.
“Better Ethics deserves a chance in Saturday grade and he can go for a spell afterwards.”
