Hoping for a second miracle

CONNECTIONS of handy pacer Rishi are hoping for a second miracle at Tabcorp Park Melton on Saturday night.

Set to contest the Victoria Cup, Rishi is among the outsiders in the Grand Circuit event.

In fact, the Lance Justice-trained gelding will have to establish a race record if he is to capture the Group One.

Listed at $61 with TAB Fixed Odds, Rishi will become the longest-priced Cup winner if successful.

As it stands, Breenys Fella holds that honour thanks to his 2000 triumph at $51.70 for trainer Ted Demmler and his reinsman-son, Craig.

Other outsiders include Jofess at $36 in 2002 and Carribbean Blaster at $30.40 in 2012.

Rishi is no stranger to winning at ‘cricket score odds’, having secured last weekend’s Smoken Up Sprint at $120!

That victory earned Rishi a berth in the Cup, which at $300,000 has been returned to the same stake it was in 2005.

In 2017 the Cup was dropped to $200,000 – its lowest purse since 1994 before being lifted to $250,000 last year.

As he did in the sprint, Rishi has drawn barrier nine, with Michael Bellman to partner the son of Bettors Delight again.

“He’s going to need everything to go his way to win,” Justice said. “I’m not saying he can win, but I will say he is capable of winning.

“He proved last week he is up to the task, now it’s just a matter of getting the right run on the night.”

Justice is no stranger to Victoria Cup glory, having won with Sokyola in 2004 – the first time the Cup carried a $300,000 purse.

Justice then scored with Smoken Up in 2011 when the feature peaked at $425,000.