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In a field with noticeably compressed weights, Rugged Cross appears ideally suited in Thursday’s Rowley Mile.
Seven runners contest the $100,000 Listed event at Hawkesbury on Thursday and of those seven, five sit noticeably outside of the handicap.
The two inside of it are 2014 Sydney Cup winner The Offer and the ever reliable Rugged Cross.
Rugged Cross appears ideally suited in the event and at his $5.00 quote as of Thursday morning, looks hard to beat.
As honest as the day is long, Rugged Cross backs up five days after running fourth to Centre Pivot in the Canterbury Hurlstone RSL Handicap (1400m).
The gelding came up against some strong opposition on that occasion with runner up Countryman in red hot form while third placegetter Magic Hurricane and also Silverball likely in store for solid spring preparations.
On Thursday, Rugged Cross takes on a field comprised of largely limited types.
Furthermore, he only gives them 3kg at the weights with true weights suggesting the son of Cape Cross should be giving them 10kg or more.
It is the easiest assignment Rugged Cross has come across in some time with the $5.00 on offer about him as of Thursday morning almost too good to be true.
50 day weight adjusted ratings have Rugged Cross sitting nearly ten pounds clear of his nearest rivals and it appears the UK import just has to hold form to be taking this contest out.
Brenton Avdulla jumps back aboard the Chris Waller-trained runner and the pair have an excellent record in partnership with two wins and three minor placings from six starts in partnership.
Favourite for the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on Thursday is the John Thompson-trained Dragon Flyer.
The gelding was a convincing winner over 1550m at Canterbury on August 12, kicking clear to win by four lengths and in good time.
The run returned the gelding a Timeform rating of 89, equal to a master figure he initially ran to when fourth at Randwick over 1200m on Boxing Day last December.
Rugged Cross ran to a Timeform rating of 110 last start and now must only give Dragon Flyer 3kg.
2014 Sydney Cup winner The Offer commences his spring campaign in Thursday’s feature event.
On best form, The Offer would be right in the thick of things here.
Watch for him working into calculations late however he is largely expected to need this outing and more ground.
Footy Fan and Campania are holding their form well and shape as two mares who can fill a minor spot.
Like, Dragon Flyer, both Footy Fan and Campania sit noticeably outside of the handicap and will be running to a new master figure if they win the Rowley Mile.
The workmanlike Rugged Cross is clearly the one they have to beat in Thursday’s Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury.
