Few horses improve as eight-year-olds, but an extended spell has Cisco Bay racing in some of the best form of his career, laying the platform for the gelding to chase his first black-type win.
Cisco Bay will line up in the Group 3 Festival Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday following a Randwick win two starts ago and a fast-finishing second to Rustic Steel in the Big Dance on Melbourne Cup day.
Co-trainer Gerald Ryan believes he is showing the benefits of having an extended break prior to his current campaign and contrary to early opinion, is also relishing Sydney’s good tracks.
“He’s racing in terrific heart,” Ryan said.
“A lot of people had him down as a wet tracker, well his best runs with me have been on drier tracks. He has won on soft ground, but he’s never won on heavy ground.”
Cisco Bay isn’t the first older horse to thrive under Ryan’s care.
Red Excitement was Group 2 placed behind Winx as an eight-year-old and rounded out his successful career with a Listed placing at his 62nd and final start.
“Red Excitement raced competitively until he was nine,” Ryan said.
“We don’t overtax them.
“(The longer spell) has given him time to get his act together and probably all his sore spots are gone.
“He is an eight-year-old looking very well and racing very well.”
The Festival Stakes has attracted a handy field that includes last-start winners Kirwan’s Lane and Coal Crusher, along with high-class performers Sunshine Rising and Lion’s Roar, both on the comeback from injuries.
Ryan and training partner Sterling Alexiou are looking for back-to-back wins in the feature after claiming the race with Ellsberg 12 months ago and Ryan says his only concern with Cisco Bay is his winless record at his home track.
However, he believes that might be largely circumstantial and is hoping the horse can make amends from an ideal draw in gate two.
“The only negative I find with him for Saturday is he’s never run particularly well at Rosehill,” Ryan said.
“But from memory, I don’t think he’s drawn in close much, he has always had to go back and come around them.
“It’s a good draw for him because he can get smothered up quickly.”
Cisco Bay will progress to the next month’s $2 million Ingham Stakes (1600m) at Randwick if he performs well on Saturday.