NEWCASTLE trainer Jason Deamer is confident that the steadier of 61 kilograms will not stop in-form gelding Serious Hoffa from running out the testing 2900 metre trip in the Hunter Stayers Cup at Newcastle on Saturday.
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Serious Hoffa was a brilliant all-the-way winner last start at Gosford over 2600 metres with 59 ½ kilograms on his back.
The injured Chad Lever was aboard at Gosford but Andrew Gibbons, who rode the five-year-old to victory at Kembla three starts back, takes over on Saturday.
Serious Hoffa has had three starts on the Newcastle track for two seconds.
He showed his versatility to come from the rear of the field to win at Kembla over 2000m and then he led throughout at Gosford.
Deamer said Serious Hoffa would probably lead again but he would leave the tactics up to Gibbons.
“Chad Lever suggested the horse lead at Gosford as there was no place in the race,” Deamer said. “He went straight to the front and was never in danger. I would like to see him dictate in front on Saturday but if one of the others is keen to lead this horse can take a sit. I will leave it up to Gibbo (jockey) to work it out once they jump. He has a big weight but it is only one-and-a-half-kilograms more than he carried last start. He would have still won at Gosford if the race was another lap.”
The Snowden camp will consider a step up to group company for blue-blood colt Almighty if he is successful in the 1600m maiden plate.
The three-year-old has been placed behind potential Group 1 youngsters Siege Of Quebec and D’Argento in two of his three starts.
He was backed off the map when runner-up to Kailenny on the Newcastle track on July 15 after racing three wide.
“Almighty drops in class after his placing at Rosehill last start,” Snowden said. “He will race handy, and if successful we will put him away and probably run him in the Flemington Carbine Club at the back-end of the Spring Carnival.”
The Snowdens will send three gallopers to Newcastle.
Sprinting To Win will start favourite in the 1200m colts and geldings maiden while Jawhara makes her debut in the 1200m fillies and mares maiden.
“Sprinting To Win has trained on nicely after his narrow defeat at Gosford,” Snowden said. “He has a good draw and will race on the pace. He will be very hard to beat. Jawhara has had a couple of recent trials and will run well. Her mother Emotional Circus was a good mare and this filly will race back in the field as her mum did.”
