KEY POINTS:
Taranaki trainer John Wheeler has stayed loyal to jockey Shane Dye, despite plenty of opposition for the ride on Pentathon in the $A2.25 million BMW (2400m) on Saturday.
Pentathon was yesterday among 11 acceptors for the group one weight-for-age race at Rosehill, along with top New Zealand mare Princess Coup and the David Hayes-trained The Fuzz, part-owned by his Waikato breeders Phil and Jackie Rogers.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained mare Tuesday Joy was posted an early $2.75 favourite on Australia's TAB Sportsbet, ahead of the Mark Walker-trained Princess Coup at $3.25.
Bart Cummings' grand stayer Sirmione was at $6 and The Fuzz at $8 while Pentathon was on the sixth line of betting at $21.
Dye, the former Matamata apprentice just returned from a Hong Kong stint, found trouble on Pentathon during his slashing run for fifth, a half-length behind winner The Chieftain in Saturday's Manion Cup (2400m).
"I worked on the premise that he stuffed it up on Saturday, surely he can't stuff it up again," Wheeler said yesterday.
"He owes me a decent ride. "
Dye was aboard for the first time in the Manion after Pentathon ran last in the Ranvet Stakes (1900m) at Canterbury the previous week when Wheeler said he was in need of the run.
"Corey Brown elected to jump off him [after the Ranvet] and now he wants to get back on again. Everyone's been ringing for the ride since Saturday," Wheeler said.
Wheeler felt Dye was a victim of circumstance in the Manion when he was unable to get clear halfway down the straight then switched diagonally for an inside run.
He stormed to the line and was in front one stride past the post.
The Pentire gelding has since been one of the best-backed runners for the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick on May 3, and was last night into $11.
Wheeler still expects Pentathon to be a big chance on Saturday in his final lead-up to the staying test.
"He's been racing in handicaps with 59-60kg so he should be able to cope with weight-for-age.
"Princess Coup and Tuesday Joy are exceptionally good mares but he'll be there battling away."
Tuesday Joy, to be ridden again by Darren Beadman, drew barrier nine while Princess Coup (Damien Oliver) drew six and Pentathon seven.
- NZPA
