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Eskimo King heads to Bendigo on Wednesday where the gelding should be breaking maiden status in a 1600m Maiden Plate.
The gelding is currently vying for favouritism in the fourth race at Bendigo on Wednesday however a strong case can be made the $3.00 quote on offer about the son of Shinko King being over the odds.
A field of 12 after scratchings contests the Jayco Maiden Plate over a mile at Bendigo and Eskimo King profiles the best of the runners.
The four-year-old resumed at Cranbourne over 1400m 19 days ago and did so in encouraging fashion.
Settled worse than midfield, the Peter Moody-trained runner was getting to the line well for third, beaten 1.8 lengths.
It was a strong first up run on a rain affected track and Eskimo King will have no doubt taken benefit from the run.
Second up and rising to a mile appears ideal for the son of Shinko King who strikes a race on Wednesday where he rates clear on top.
Based on 50 day weight adjusted Timeform ratings, Eskimo King possesses a seven pound edge over his rivals with the potential for further improvement still early in his campaign.
With five starts now under his belt, Eskimo King possesses a master Timeform rating off 77 achieved when placing on debut at Caulfield as a three-year-old last season.
His first up performance returned a Timeform figure of 72.
On Wednesday, expected jockey Luke Nolen to settle the gelding midfield in a race where a few look capable of going forward and at least ensuring a moderately run affair.
There is every chance Eskimo King will be attempting to reel in his main rivals over the concluding stages who appear to be three-year-olds Plot The Course and Rushmore.
Both are having their third career starts after commencing their time at the races in encouraging fashion.
Plot The Course was only narrowly denied victory at Ballarat last start over 1400m.
The performance returned a Timeform rating of 69.
This comes in three pounds shy of what Eskimo King produced first up.
Rushmore’s latest placing was recorded at this track and distance.
The All American gelding loomed as the likely winner with a furlong to go on that occasion however was just outgunned over the dying stages.
Both can improve again with additional race experience under their belts however whether enough to bridge the gap to Eskimo King is doubtful.
It appears Eskimo King has the perfect mix of maturity, experience, fitness and upside heading into the Jayco Maiden Plate (1600m) at Bendigo and should be chalking up his first career win.
