Trainer Michael Hickmott is optimistic that the owners of new recruit Promises Kept will enjoy the coming weeks as the gelding embarks on a pair of Victorian feature targets.
Promises Kept travels from South Australia to contest Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m), with the option of backing up seven days later in the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m).
The horse began his career with Greg Eurell before joining Ciaron Maher, and he has now had two starts under Hickmott’s care.
He finished sixth first-up in the Listed Murray Bridge Cup (1600m) in October and followed that with a fifth placing behind Air Assault in the Listed John Letts Stakes (1800m) at Morphettville on November 4.
“He was always going to need the run first-up,” Hickmott said.
“I thought his first-up run was a pass mark then his next run was clearly dominated by on-pacers.
“His sectionals, right up until the 200-metre mark, were everything as good as anything in the race, but he flattened out in the last furlong.
“Up to the 2000 metres suits better and we’re looking at running him in this and then back-up into the Pakenham Cup with him.”
Last preparation, while trained by Maher, Promises Kept won over 2200m at Hobart and then placed consecutively in the Hobart Cup and Launceston Cup at 2400m.
He was then tested at 3200m in the Adelaide Cup but finished last.
Hickmott said he is not looking past next week’s Pakenham Cup for the gelding.
“He’s a lovely old horse that is in the zone, he’s sound, moving good, he looks fantastic and his work has been good, but it is a very good race on Saturday,” Hickmott said.
Hickmott will also start Party Crasher at Ballarat in the Hertz Handicap (2000m), a benchmark 84 race.
Party Crasher was last seen winning over 2000m at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
“He’s a progressive horse and comes into this race as the most inexperienced horse in the race, but he’s on the way up,” Hickmott said.
“He did a fantastic job at Flemington, and I was really proud of the horse.
“He’s continued to thrive since and I expect him to be really competitive in what is a strong race.”
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