New Tipperary has been a victim of wet tracks this campaign but with nothing but blue skies forecast ahead of Saturday's Rosehill meeting, Joe Pride is optimistic that his stayer can claim the Listed Lord Mayor's Cup (2000m).
"He has been under sufferance of late on wet tracks and especially at Randwick. Three of his four runs this preparation have been on heavy going so I'm happy to have him back on top of the ground," Pride said.
"I've been really happy with him. It's just been hard to get a guide on him of late. The only half decent track he hit was at Rosehill [in the Ajax Stakes] and he ran second to It's Somewhat. There is no shame in that form."
The four-year-old son of High Chaparral boasts two wins and a second from his four Rosehill starts, while he has won four from six on good tracks.
Earlier on the card, Pride will be represented by three-year-old Kitteau who will be looking to improve on his two seconds at the provincials this campaign.
"He has been good this preparation. His two runs haven't quite gone to plan but from a good draw and from in behind what looks a pretty hot tempo, he should get things go his way. It's a strong race though."
Pride said he will likely scratch Painte and chase wet tracks which leaves Butterboom to round out the stable's Rosehill team, with the mare expected to improve with the outing.
"She's in good order but she generally takes a run to come to her peak so we're expecting that again on Saturday."
Meanwhile, the TAB has rated My Psychiatrist a $17 chance but Pride believes that his Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) runner on Friday is a genuine winning hope.
The four-year-old mare looked well beaten after leading over the mile at Randwick last start but rallied again on the line and 100m past the post was levelling up with eventual winner Grand Dreamer.
"She's probably the most dour horse I've ever trained. I think she can really stay so that's going to happen in shorter races where she is outsprinted. She is very genuine," Pride said.
"Corey [Brown] said he was way too patient on her last start. He led but they kicked off before the corner, got outsprinted and then came back at them late. If she gets the race run to suit, she'll be hard to beat. The day she finds a 2000m or 2400m race which they go hard in, you'll see a different horse."
From the Racing NSW website