Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Trainer John Bannister is no stranger to taking Poseidon Ruler to the races knowing he’ll need a bit luck and he says he’ll require a different kind of luck if he’s to win Sunday’s $40,000 Wauchope RSL Wauchope Cup (1500m) at Port Macquarie.

The five-year-old is currently the only horse Bannister has in work, and one of just two on his hands at the moment, and the hobby trainer is confident he’s found the right race to post a deserved win after three runs at Midway level off wide gates.

He’s drawn the inside at Port Macquarie and he says that could be tricky but couldn’t have the horse going any better.

“I wanted barrier five or six because barrier one could be a problem if you’re a bit slow away and get back too far and stuck behind horses,’’ he said.

“But barrier one is better than 20-odd (that he drew in Saturday’s Midway at Rosehill). You just need a bit of luck at Port Macquarie.”

Poseidon Ruler's last start at Rosehill

Since his last win at Newcastle in April, the gelding has proven competitive in Midway company with eye-catching fifths behind Wrathful at Rosehill and Crafty Eagle at Randwick prior to his last run.

Poseidon Ruler clocked the second fasted last 600m (33.64, Punter's Intelligence) despite enduring a wide run when beaten one length into fourth by Uzziah at Rosehill two weeks ago.

A wide run shouldn’t be a problem from the inside and Bannister said jockey Georgina McDonnell knows the horse well given she was on board at Randwick and rides all the gelding’s trackwork.

“Generally when he gets wide barriers I tell jockeys to ride him where he’s comfortable, he sort of flops out and goes back but he can be closer,’’ he said.

“That’s the plan on Sunday to try to be midfield.

“I’m confident, he just needs a bit of luck. If he’s only five or six lengths off them straightening up he should use his turn of foot and go straight through them.

“If he gets the right run and things open up he should win but it’s not as easy as that.”

Bannister is based at Branxton in the Hunter Valley and makes the trip to Newcastle for his major gallops but Poseidon Ruler and his other horses, including breeding stock, enjoy the luxury of a 100 acre farm.

The gelding, who cost about $3500, lives in a half acre paddock and has amassed over $130,000 from his 25 starts to date and Bannister feels there’s potential for more upside and more wins.

“He’s a funny horse, he should have won a lot more races,’’ he said.

“There’s no reason why he can’t win on Sunday, he just needs a bit of luck and he’ll be fine.”

All the entries, form and replays for Sunday's Port Macquarie meeting