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Cessnock trainer eyes off mid-week upset

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The form guide suggests Drachenfels has his work cut out against hot favourite Plonka at Grafton on Tuesday but, after the weekend Cessnock trainer Jeremy Sylvester just enjoyed, an upset might be on the cards.

Sylvester bagged a long-priced two-track double on Saturday and hopes his winning run can extend to 2 February with his two runners Drachenfels and Rubick’s Command.

Drachenfels, who has not won for more than three years, is looking to upset Coffs Harbour galloper Plonka and the in-form Grafton sprinter Bugalugs in the Open Handicap (1200m).

Rubick’s Command is keen to bounce back from a Kensington failure last start when he tackles the C,G&E Class 1 Hcp (1200m).

Sylvester certainly had a big day out on Saturday, landing the first race at Rosehill with the $31 rank outsider If You Think So in the TAB Highway Plate (1500m).

If You Think So, ridden well out in front by Kathy O’Hara, won like an odds-on fancy, clearing out for a 4.5-length demolition of the field.

Sylvester then snared the second at Tamworth with $13 maiden winner Day Dreamin’, ridden by Rachael Murray.

“We thought If You Think So would be hard to beat out in front in those heavy conditions and it was never in doubt really,” he said.

“And, then we won a race at Tamworth to top it off.

“It was great to see both horses win on Saturday as they are both raced by fantastic owners.”

Sylvester knows Drachenfels faces an imposing task against Plonka and Bugalugs at Grafton, but thinks the seven-year-old can run a competitive race providing he produces his best.

Originally with Godolphin, he’s won four races for the racing powerhouse, the most recent being way back in December 2017.

He later went to Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker, who could not win a race with him.

Sylvester purchased the gelding for $30,000 at an Inglis Online Sale early last year.

He has run several placings in his 12 starts for Sylvester, including a good third behind Vacate and Exclusive over 1215m at his only previous Grafton run last May.

Drachenfels resumed with a 2.9-length sixth behind Bryan’s Babe in the Summer Sizzler (1000m) at Muswellbrook on 18 January.

“If he produced his best, Drachenfels could certainly run a race, but unfortunately he’s always been one of those ‘gunna’ horses,” Sylvester said.

“When we bought him last year we put him straight into work and he ran several good races without winning.

“He ran a nice race first-up over the 1000m at Muswellbrook and he can certainly improve up to the 1200m on Tuesday.

“If he reproduces his effort at Grafton over the same trip last year, he’d certainly be right in the race.

“But, we’re a bit stiff to run into a such tough race on Tuesday with both Plonka and Johnny Shelton’s horse (Bugalugs) lining up.

“They certainly look the two to fight it out.”

The Warren Gavenlock-trained Plonka looks likely to start a short-priced favourite in his return clash with Bugalugs on Tuesday.

Bugalugs won his third race from five starts at Grafton when he beat Plonka by 2.4 lengths over 1000m on 24 January.

However, Plonka, who was first-up last time, is expected to turn the tables when they clash over the 1200m on Tuesday.

Sylvester thinks Rubick’s Command can bounce back from a last-start failure in Sydney and be very competitive back in the Class 1 on 2 February.

Rubick’s Command was placed in two of his first three starts before winning his maiden over 1300m at Gunnedah on 15 December.

Sylvester took him to Sydney for his next start where he raced very erratically and struck trouble when last of nine behind Boyles in a Class 3 TAB Highway over 1400m on a heavy 8 on the Kensington track on 2 January.

Rubick’s Command will carry an offside bubble cheeker for the first time on Tuesday.

“I don’t think the heavy conditions were an issue with him,” Sylvester said.

“But, he raced very erratically and has had to trial since, which he did at Tuncurry (winning easily over 1000m on 16 January).

“He’s had a few issues along the way, which is why he’s such a lightly-raced four-year-old.

“He can run a much-improved race at Grafton on Tuesday.

“And, a bit of rain at Grafton over the next day or two wouldn’t hurt – a soft 5 or 6 would really suit both my runners.”

  • Racing NSW

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