KEY POINTS:
Straight track specialist Grand Duels has improved from his group one performances in the autumn judging by his trackwork going into tomorrow's Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.
South Australian trainer Byron Cozamanis said the lightly-raced 5-year-old would be close to "spot-on" for his return to Flemington where last start he finished third to Weekend Hussler and Magnus in the group one Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on March 8.
"I think he is working better than he did last campaign," Cozamanis said last night.
"There are a couple of fair horses in the Aurie's Star but he is coming along well.
"I think he is just about spot-on."
Brad Rawiller will ride Grand Duels, who made Flemington his second home last campaign with four starts down the straight.
While the Newmarket was his headline performance he was beaten less than three lengths when sixth to Apache Cat at weight-for-age in the group one Lightning Stakes (1000m).
He also won an open sprint over 1000 metres at Flemington on December 15 and was first past the post in the Victoria Stakes (1100m) which was later taken off him for a positive swab to the prohibited anabolic steroid boldenone.
Cozamanis said straight-course racing suited Grand Duels because of his galloping action which makes him prone to striking his hocks when ridden hard around turns.
"I keep him to the straight tracks when I can," Cozamanis said.
He said Flemington's major sprints would be specific spring targets for Grand Duels who has won five of his 12 starts.
The group 3 Bobbie Lewis Quality (1200m) on September 6 and the Melbourne Cup week features - the group 2 Salinger Stakes (1200m) and Group one The Age Classic (1200m) - were priorities for Grand Duels.
Grand Duels tuned up for the 1200m Aurie's Star last Monday week when he scored impressively in a 1000-metre barrier trial at Cheltenham.
If Cozamanis has any reservations about Grand Duels it is his record at 1200 metres. His Newmarket effort is so far his best in three starts at the distance.
"I probably would have been happier if it had been 1100 metres or 1000 metres but I think he will run well," Cozamanis said.
Grand Duels is $4.40 with TAB Sportsbet and is considered the best chance of beating 7-year-old Stavka ($3.60) who is lining up for his seventh win in nine starts.
Trained by Peter Morgan, Stavka suffers from bad knees but is unbeaten in three runs this campaign, including his only start at Flemington where he won over 1200 metres two starts ago on July 5.
Last start he showed courage from an outside gate to beat Jeuneyman in a photo-finish at Moonee Valley on July 26.
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Fans in 26 cities and towns across Australia and New Zealand will get the chance to see the Melbourne Cup which begins its annual tour on September 29, with the first stop at Sheffield in Tasmania.
The Victoria Racing Club chose the 26 destinations from 53 applications submitted as the Cup tour enters its sixth year.
"The Melbourne Cup Tour is now an integral component in the lead-up to the spring carnival and has been widely embraced by communities throughout the country," VRC chief executive Dale Monteith said.
The tour highlights the heroes connected with the 147-year history of Australia's most famous race and celebrates the cultural and social significance of the Melbourne Cup while providing local communities with the opportunity to experience the Cup first hand.
- AAP
