Cup Carnival

The Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap will fall just short of maximum capacity when 17 horses line up in the $175,000 event.

At 2600m it’s the longest race of the day and it’s managed to attract a good quality field of stayers.

John P Thompson has accepted for all three of his nominations and has an interesting mix of underperforming siblings and an up and coming improver.

Both Count Encosta and Saint Encosta are from the champion sire Encosta De Lago

Count Encosta especially came onto the scene with some impressive results but they both haven’t really kicked on to that next level.

Saint Encosta has been the better performing horse of late winning at Warwick Farm two starts back.

Their stable mate Galizani has vastly less experience but has already claimed three race victories, including last start at Rosehill Gardens.

The top rated runner belongs to Lee Freedman but Speed Gifted will have to do it from gate 17 with the 58kg top weight.

He’s coming off a third in the Albury Cup but hasn’t won a race since getting up on this track in March 2009.

Other big names in the field include Gai Waterhouse’s AJC Oaks winning Once Were Wild and Michael Rodd’s Melbourne Cup starter C’est La Guerre.

The runner with the best form leading into the race also comes from the Waterhouse stable in Older Than Time.

The mare has won all four of her races this preparation and is steadily working her way up in class.

With 17 starters it’s vital you come back tomorrow to check out the full form guide which will be posted including every horse in the race.

Later in the week a full tipping guide with the latest Luxbet.com odds will also be available.

2011 Chairman’s Handicap Field