Racing: Ryan eyes Thorndon

SYDNEY - Trainer Gerald Ryan believes Spirit Of Tara will have to be at his very best to beat his old foes in the Frank Underwood Cup at Rosehill today.

The 5-year-old stallion was fifth to Grandiloquent last start in the Tattersall's Club Cup (2000m) at Randwick on January 1.

"I think there's a lot of improvement in him but there will have to be because he's up against pretty much the same field as the Tattersall's Cup," Ryan said.

"He just got too far back and couldn't catch them in the end and we can't afford to give them that much start again."

Spirit Of Tara was more than 10 lengths behind the leader Beauty Watch at the turn in the Tattersall's Cup before Tim Clark moved him to the outside where he dashed home for fifth.

Unfortunately it was another failure for Spirit Of Tara over 2000m but Ryan said he showed enough to warrant another crack at the trip today after a couple of attempts at the distance as a 3-year-old also proved unsuccessful.

A big run at Rosehill might convince Ryan and Spirit Of Tara's owner Joe O'Gara to nominate for the group one Thorndon Mile in New Zealand on January 27.

The pair have had the race in mind for some time and thought it perfect for their horse.

- AAP