Rockhampton Cup target for Massuri

Wednesday 12 June 2013, 4:13pm

Massuri enhanced her reputation as a superior wet tracker and earned a shot at the Rockhampton Cup with a narrow Eagle Farm victory on Wednesday.

Ridden by Adrian Coome, Massuri ($4.60) overhauled Danyme ($3.60 fav) to win by a half-neck with Thirsty For Blood ($4) 1-3/4 lengths away third.

Trainer Stuart Kendrick plans to head north with the mare for the Rockhampton Cup (1600m) on June 22.

"I said to Adrian (Coome) before the race, if she won today I'd like to have a crack at the Rocky Cup with her," Kendrick said.

"They've changed the distance back to 1600 metres and she's already won a race there so she should be in it up to her ears."

Kendrick's confidence that Massuri could earn a Cup trip grew when the Eagle Farm track was downgraded to a heavy 9 after the first race.

"She won a big race as a two-year-old in Townsville on a heavy track coming from last and beating a good field so I knew she'd love the conditions today," he said.

Meanwhile, trainer Kelly Schweida has struck a simple and successful formula with Lennie's Choice who notched his fourth win in succession at Wednesday's meeting.

"Find as many 1000 metre races on wet tracks as possible," Schweida said after Lennie's Choice won the Grinders Handicap.

"He's got enormous pace and all the jockeys who ride him say he can quicken off a high cruising speed."

Lennie's Choice underwent knee surgery as a two-year-old but Schweida has always had a high opinion of the gelding.

"If he had good legs I reckon he'd be a Group horse," he said.

"He's had a knee operation but it doesn't seem to worry him even though it looks ugly."

The soundness issues affecting Lennie's Choice mean Schweida doesn't overtax him in trackwork.

"He hasn't raced for three months and gets no work, yet he comes out today and wins by seven lengths," Schweida said.

"He's quite an incredible little horse."

Schweida was also successful with Little Bit Ditsy ($1.55 fav) who won the Sirromet Wines Handicap (1000m) by 3-1/2 lengths.

– AAP

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