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Tall Ship is expected to continue on his winning ways in Thursday’s Listed Warrnambool Cup.
The Darren Weir-trained import has hit the ground running in his first Australian preparation having strung together three straight successes since getting up over beyond a mile.
His latest came as favourite in the Terang Cup (2150m) and while this profiles as a tougher assignment, Tall Ship can continue winning in Thursday’s Listed Warrnambool Cup (2350m).
Tall Ship ran to a Timeform rating of 100 last start, a new peak figure for the gelding.
He looks open to further improvement and if able to produce that, looks the one to beat.
As is the case with most country cups, weights in the event are noticeably compressed with Tall Ship just one of five runners who sit inside the handicap of the 11 who remain after scratchings.
Expect him to settle midfield and be charging home late.
The main concern regarding Tall Ship is how he’ll handle the rain affected Warrnambool surface which is currently a Heavy 9.
These concerns must be held for a majority of the key chances though.
Shoreham finished third in the 2014 Warrnambool Cup and his latest form suggests he can be fighting out the finish of the 2015 renewal.
The Saab Hasan-trained gelding rates highly amongst this field off a strong second at Flemington over 2600m last start.
As honest as they come, his latest form reads well and should be prominent at the finish.
A narrow runner up in the Terang Cup to Tall Ship, Tuscan Fire has to be considered some chance of turning the tables on the OTI-raced favourite.
The son of Tuscanos has held his form well and now meets Tall Ship 2.5kg better at the weights for being beaten by just a slender margin.
Tooleybuc Kid looks Plan B for Darren Weir in the feature event at Warrnambool on Thursday.
He is a good Plan B to have though coming off strong wins at Caulfield and also Pakenham when taking out the Pakenham Cup.