Ciaron Maher is set to field a strong contender in the Tancred Stakes this Saturday with Duke De Sessa leading the charge. However, the 2400-metre Group 1 event also holds significant importance for another stable runner.
Circle Of Fire is gearing up for his title defense in the Sydney Cup and will use the $1.5 million race at Rosehill as a crucial stepping stone.
The Almanzor gelding enters the Tancred Stakes as a $26 outsider but will be racing over 2400 metres for the first time this campaign. Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull believes this longer trip will bring out a more competitive performance.
“He’s a hard one to get a gauge on because he’s a slower, staying horse and until he gets to 2400-plus he’s not going to give you much,” Turnbull said.
“He has closed the margin each start, he’s getting closer to the winner, which is what we go off and based off his past starts it’s very comparable to the Sydney Cup that he won.
“He is progressing well, he just needs a trip.”
Circle Of Fire last competed over 2400m or more in last year’s Melbourne Cup, where he finished sixth, trailing winner Knight’s Choice by just 2-3/4 lengths.
His current campaign began with a run in the Group 3 Parramatta Cup (1900m), where he finished towards the rear, beaten by 6-3/4 lengths. He followed that with a fourth-place finish in the Group 3 Sky High Stakes (2000m), trailing race winner and Tancred Stakes favorite Vauban by 3-1/4 lengths.
“There was no speed in the Sky High so he sat a bit closer and then he just got left a bit flat-footed, but he’s one that’s going the right way.”
The Tancred Stakes will serve as Circle Of Fire’s final run before the $2m Sydney Cup (3200m), though Duke De Sessa is unlikely to join him there.
Following Saturday’s race, the Caulfield Cup winner’s next move will be determined. Currently, he stands as the $6 third favorite with betting sites, trailing joint $3.50 market leaders Vauban and Dubai Honour.
Duke De Sessa approaches the Tancred Stakes after an unlucky second-place finish in the Australian Cup Prelude, following a victorious first-up run in the Group 3 JRA Plate (1600m) at Caulfield.
