Shark favoured to reclaim title

LOCAL idol Lennytheshark is the early favourite in his bid to recapture the Victoria Cup title.

Successful in the 2016 edition, Lennytheshark missed last season’s running which was captured by a rampaging Lazarus.

With the son of Four Starzzz Shark contesting the Ballarat Cup a week before, trainer David Aiken elected to bypass the Grand Circuit event in preference for the A G Hunter Cup the following week.

Releasing their market for the October 14 showdown, TAB Fixed odds have Lennytheshark listed at the head of affairs at $3.60.

Lennytheshark hasn’t raced since finishing fourth behind his stablemate Hectorjayjay in The Blacks A Fake at Albion Park on July 15.

Due to trial at Shepparton on Tuesday, the eight-year-old is in “terrific” condition according to Aiken.

“I’m rapt with the way he has come up, he looks terrific,” Aiken said. “He will trial at Shepparton next Tuesday and then again at Melton the following Tuesday.

“The plan is to race him first-up in the Smoken Up the week before the Victoria Cup.

“After that we’ll be off to Perth for the Inter Dominion in November.”

My Field Marshal, which is due to race at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night, is on the second line of Victoria Cup betting at $5.

My Field Marshal boasts the rare feat of having the edge over Lennytheshark, beating the latter home in three of their five clashes.

Western Australian star Chicago Bull and New South Wales pacer Tiger Tara are the only other contenders under double figures at $7 and $9.