Veteran trainer/breeder Daryl Holmes is optimistic El Dorado can make a last minute case for inclusion in the Group 1 Sportsbet Topgun at The Meadows on Saturday night.
The selection panel will meet on Sunday to choose the elite eight to contest the Topgun on the opening night of the $4.1 million Sportsbet Dream Chasers Festival, Saturday, November 5.
So, victory in Saturday’s FFA – Race 8 at 8.59pm – would be timely for the in-form El Dorado, as it would for rivals Paddy Wants Pats and Amron Boy.
Winner of three from six at The Meadows and drawn in Box 2, from where he’s unbeaten in four career starts, El Dorado is Sportsbet’s $3.20 second elect, with Amron Boy (Box 4) $2.90 favourite and Paddy Wants Pats (Box 3) at $4.20.
“He probably has to win on Saturday to get into the Topgun,” Daryl Holmes said.
“I’ve never had a runner in the Topgun, and it would be great for Robbie Le Sueur, who’s partners with me in the litters, because he worked at The Meadows for 25 years. He was the starter there.”
Boasting an impressive 15 from 29 career record, El Dorado has raised the bar as the business end of the year approaches.
The son of Mepunga Blazer and Gold Vein has won two of his last three, the most recent success a come-from-behind victory over Paddy Wants Pats in a Melbourne Cup prelude at Sandown Park.
WATCH: EL DORADO (B7) reeled in favourite PADDY WANTS PATS (B3) in a stirring finish to a Melbourne Cup prelude at Sandown Park on October 13, clocking 29.68sec in wet conditions.
“His run the week before, when he ran third to McInerney, was very good too,” Holmes said.
“He’s got into a bit of a groove lately and the pleasing thing was those two fields would be the best he’s raced against.
“It doesn’t matter how fast you are; you’ve got be able to compete against the best and McInerney and Paddy Wants Pats would be two of the best ten going around.
“He does like the inside and he if runs his 5.10sec he’ll be up there with them. He’s a good chance.”
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In Race 3 at 7.18pm, El Dorado’s litter sister Barista Chick (Box 7) will be striving to continue her unbeaten streak since returning from injury.
Barista Chick has reeled off five straight wins, all at Traralgon, since returning, boosting her record to 13 from 25, and she’s a $3.30 chance to continue on her winning way.
“She had a stopper tendon stitched; she’s made an unbelievable recovery,” Holmes said.
“I thought she would’ve lost something, but she’s come back better than ever.
“I’ve kept her at Traralgon so far because of the long straight and the one-turn, to get her hardened.
“The 525m is as far as she wants – it’s probably a bit further – but I expect her to be up there early and hopefully she can hold on in the last 50 metres.”
