Trent Edmonds will be hoping he made the right decision in scratching Peppi La Few from Eagle Farm on Wednesday in preference for Saturday’s Class 6 Plate at Doomben, saying that his gelding is “busting” to win a race this campaign.
After finishing second in his part three starts, the six-year-old looked to have the midweek race at his mercy, with online bookmakers drawing a line while he was an odds-on favourite in the Open Handicap.
Edmonds believes his horse was unlucky not to have edged out Royal Hale on August 14 at Eagle Farm, and he remains hopeful that Peppi La Few can get the monkey off the back this weekend despite stepping up in grade.
“I hope (he can win) because we scratched him from Wednesday to run Saturday,” he told HorseBetting.com.au.
“His form is pretty good, I just think he might’ve – not missed the boat – the other day, but he took a half-tardy step out of the barriers and we wanted him to go and lead or be really close.
“He was maybe a pair back further than we thought he was going to be and Jaden’s (Lloyd) horse at the weight pull on him.
“He’s busting to win a race and it looks like a bloody nice race for him to be fair.”
Drawn ideally in barrier five for Brad Stewart, who retains the ride on Peppi La Few, Edmonds is hoping to see his horse settle in the first couple of pairs in the run and allow his fitness to carry him a long way.
“He (Stewart) rides him good,” Edmonds said.
“I think Doomben will suit well, up to the 1350m.
“He’s just got to break clean, that’s all. He’s drawn a good gate, he’s got to break clean and be up on speed somewhere and he’ll be pretty tough to get past if he gets conditions to suit and can get out and get running and take control of his races.
“He’s at his best then and he’s pretty smart.”
While the son of Pierro has been kept to shorter sprint races in his first three runs this campaign, Edmonds says it was all part of the plan, with an aim to be peaking fourth-up.
Boasting form around Group 2 winner Phobetor fills his trainer with more confidence ahead of Saturday’s run.
“We kept him to shorter ones for the first couple while he’s getting really fit and now he’s ready to go,” Edmonds said.
“I can’t fault him. There’s no excuse really.”
Trent and his father, Toby, will also saddle up Royal Witness in the race prior – a competitive 1110m Open Sprint – but he concedes she needs to improve.
“Whether he can beat them, I don’t think so, but if he run on into a drum that would be great,” the younger Edmonds said.
“Second-up, he probably needs to improve, but as long as he runs well and then we can place him to effect at his next run.”
Peppi La Few is an $8 chance in the final race of the day at Doomben on Saturday, while Royal Witness is $26 with most betting sites.
