Tutelage Looking to School Rivals

Despite being unable to find an appropriate race leading into today's Magic Millions Rob Kock Memorial (2100m), trainer Janel Ryan still believes promising stayer Tutelage (Medaglia d'Oro-Harpers, by Exceed and Excel) will be a major player, reports punters.com.au. Race 6 at Cairns, a win in the event will be even sweeter for Ryan and her husband Ron with decades-long family friend and jockey Nathan Day taking the mount on Tutelage. The 4YO gelding is in a purple patch currently with 2 wins and a second form his past 3 outings and 3 wins from 5 starts at the track. The only slight query on paper appears to be his distance jump from 1400m to 2100m, yet Ryan remains cautiously optimistic, "He hasn't had a run for a while and it would have been nice to fit in a 1600 metre race before stepping up to 2100 metres." She added, "That and race fitness are the only things that worry me. It's a bit like getting ready for a boxing match when you're not sure you're ready to go 10 rounds." This, however, will be both a distance test and necessary prep run for Tutelage as he chases the Cairns Cup over the same trip on August 28. Ryan believes 6YO Pierro gelding Borella will be the main threat to Tutelage this afternoon but is hopeful a better barrier for her charge may offset the slight fitness doubt.