While the majority of focus is on the favourite, trainer Rob Gulberti believes he has two top chances to win his third XXXX Broome Cup (2200m) on Saturday.
Rob Gulberti is represented by two runners and although he has a leaning towards Blackwater Bay as the best of his duo, he gives Ulusaba a realistic hope of winning.
Blackwater Bay announced himself as a serious contender for the Broome Cup and cemented favouritism after a slashing performance in the Kimberley Cup (2020m).
After being stranded at the rear of the field the Blackfriars six-year-old got going at the top of the straight and sprouted wings late for third behind Butterlea Lad.
“He probably got a little far back,” Gulberti said on Tabradio.
“I said to Luke (Campbell) to ride him where he was comfortable and he did that.
“I couldn’t say he didn’t do a good job, but I wanted him to be a little more positive.
“That’s what we’ll be looking at tomorrow (Saturday), but he definitely hit the line good.
“I think we all know he likes that sort of trip and seems to really like the track.
“This is the race we had targeted and hopefully he can bring his A game.”
Blackwater Bay opened up as the $3 favourite and is currently into $2.80.
He has drawn barrier three and will have the services of senior jockey, Kyra Yuill.
“She was pretty excited to sort of swap horses after the Kimberley Cup,” Gulberti said.
“She’s done all the work on him and the main thing is she’s happy.”
Ulusaba won the Derby Cup (1800m) before a fifth in the Kimberley Cup when partnered by Yuill.
The seven year-old has drawn barrier 12 for Campbell and is rated a $31 hope.
Despite his outsider status, Gulberti said it wouldn’t be a shock to see Ulusaba win the Broome Cup.
“I wouldn’t have thought so, but obviously he would need to improve,” Gulberti said.
“He ran second in the Kimberley Cup last year to a really nice horse, Stafford’s Lad.
“Blinkers are going on and they definitely do improve him.
“Whether his old legs have got the speed to sit up behind those horses that will go hard early, I’m not sure, because that’s where he is most comfortable.
“But he’s in good order and I wouldn’t be surprised if he ran a big race.”
Gulberti won last year’s Broome Cup with Staaden, six years after winning his first with Desert Glow.
