The strength of Friday’s The Country Discovery has slightly dented Nick Ryan’s confidence with Express Pass, but two factors give him heart that his top sprinter can win the $500,000 event.
One is the way the marbles fell at the barrier draw for the main event on Victoria’s maiden Good Friday card of racing, which will be held at Sale.
Express Pass drew barrier seven in the 15-horse event that includes Group 1 winner Savatoxl, Group 1 placegetters The Inferno and Halvorsen, classy mare Brooklyn Hustle and progressive types Lombardo, In The Boat and Showmanship.
“It’s very strong, it’s like a Group 1 race, and I would have been a bit worried if he didn’t have a good draw,” Ryan said.
“He’s probably drawn perfectly with a lot of speed outside him. He’s drawn to get a lovely run.”
The other thing Ryan is taking confidence from is the 1100 metres of The Country Discovery.
Express Pass’s two runs this campaign have produced a narrow first-up third to Malkovich and Brooklyn Hustle and an explosive last-to-first win, both over 1000m at Flemington, and Ryan said he is now ready for the extra 100m.
“I prefer him at 1100, I reckon it’s his sweet spot,” Ryan said of the gelding who has had five starts at 1100m for three wins and a third placing.
“The 1200 is a touch far and at 1000 sometimes they’re a bit sharp for him, so I reckon 1100 is his ideal distance.”
Although Ryan has his doubts about Express Pass at 1200m, will contemplate sending him to Adelaide for $500,000 Group 1 The Goodwood if he performs up to expectations at Sale.
“I reckon he’s probably come back the best form of his career, he’s a bit more seasoned and tougher,” Ryan said.
“If he runs well, we’ll probably go to Adelaide and run in the Goodwood. Some of the other horses (running at Sale) are going in that direction as well, so it’ll give us a good yardstick.”
Fred W Kersley will ride Express Pass, who has been one of TAB’s better-backed runners in 2022 The Country Discovery, in to $10 after opening at $14.