Trainer Dan Morton is upbeat on his prospects of scoring a third Schweppes-Melvista Stakes (2200m) in four years when Sail Session and Net Zero tackle the event tomorrow.
Morton won the Listed event in 2022 with Alaskan God, before Another Chino gave Morton more success 12 months later.
He also won the race in 2013 with Gold Broker.
Sail Session looms as the most likely to deliver Morton the victory, following his stunning win in the J.C. Roberts Stakes (1800m) last month.
The son of Sessions is the popular $1.55 betting site favourite for the event and Morton said he saw no reason why he couldn’t win again.
“He’s tracked on really well,” Morton told TABradio.
“We have been really pleased with him behind the scenes.
“He’s a beautiful horse to deal with.
“He’s probably a deserved favourite.”
Sail Session endured a tricky run in the J.C. Roberts Stakes, with jockey Lucy Fiore having to send him forward in the middle stages of the race.
Despite having to do some additional work, the gelding powered away from his rivals to win by more than two-and-a-half lengths.
Morton said was full of praise for Fiore’s ride and hoped Sail Session could run the longer trip out strongly.
“Lucy made the mid-race move and it was really pivotal,” he said.
“The horse was good enough to do the rest.
“If he can take the same sort of acceleration at the end of 22, then you’d imagine he’d be hard to beat.”
While Sail Session is the headline act for Morton, he said he hoped Net Zero would enjoy the step up in trip.
“I think he’s a proper stayer in the making,” he said.
“We want to ride him to get the 22 tomorrow.
“I haven’t lost faith in him.”
Morton also said he was “quietly confident” Idodomya could make her presence felt in the Drummond Golf-WA Oaks (2400m).
Fiore has been booked to replace the injured Chris Parnham aboard the filly.
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