Trainer Luke Fernie is adamant Ripper Farooq isn’t just making up the numbers in tomorrow’s Raconteur Stakes (1400m) at Bunbury.
The gelding possesses a record of one win and two placings from nine starts but has been placed in blacktype company in last year’s Listed Supremacy Stakes (1000m).
He enters tomorrow’s Listed event off a last start fourth to Cosmic Eclipse over 1300m at Pinjarra last month.
Jockey Jade McNaught teams up with Ripper Farooq for the first time tomorrow, where he will start from barrier one.
Despite being considered as the outsider of the 12 runners, Fernie said his charge wasn’t in the race to make up the numbers.
“He’s a good chance tomorrow,” Fernie told TABradio.
“Barrier one is a big tick for him as well.
“If you look through his last start, the two horses that led, and he sat outside the leader, both dropped out the last 100.
“He’s come on from that run, which he definitely has to.”
Fernie said he hoped to see Ripper Farooq ridden positively from the low draw tomorrow.
“He gets the opportunity to lead or sit behind the leaders in a race where there could be a decent enough tempo,” he said.
“He should get a nice run.
“Apart from his last start, his form this time in has been really good.”
WA Guineas winner Storyville heads up the TABtouch market for the $125,000 event, ahead of Elite Missile ($5.50), Pond Master ($8) and Wind And The Lion ($8.50).
Fernie will hope his day starts off on a winning note when Desert Whisper features in the Donnybrook Glass Handicap (1000m).
Fernie said the filly would appreciate carrying just 54kg in the sprint event.
Tim Walker
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