Draw hinders Scallopini's bid for second Sunshine Coast Cup

By Glenn Davis

Co-trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted have tossed a coin and will start Scallopini in the Listed Sunshine Coast Cup on Saturday despite a horror barrier.

Scallopini drew barrier 18 but with three early scratchings will jump from 15 in his attempt to claim the 1400 metre feature for a second time in his career. 

In latest TAB markets, Scallopini, who won the race in 2020, is a $16 chance behind $3.90 joint favourites The Harrovian and Desert Lord.

Scallopini, a seven-year-old gelding, is expected to take improvement from his first-up run when a close sixth to Tony Gollan’s star sprinter Isotope in the Magic Millions Sprint at the Gold Coast on January 15.

It was his first appearance since being nosed out by Emerald Kingdom at Eagle Farm in July.

“We thought his run in the Magic Millions Sprint was sensational and he’s come through the run well,” Hoysted said.

“He wasn’t beaten far (2.7 lengths) by Isotope and it was his first run this time in.

“His alley is horrendous but he’s going as good as ever and if he can be midfield with cover, he’ll be right in the finish.

“Desert Lad and The Harrovian are obviously class horses but he’s right up there as a strong chance for a top three finish.”

Hoysted said the stable would have liked a better barrier but the Sunshine Coast was a big track and the 1400 metre start gave every horse a chance.

Scallopini has been sparingly raced having had only four starts over the past 12 months.

The son of Snitzel finished sixth to Eleven Eleven in the Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast in January last year before a three start Brisbane winter campaign.

A winner of nine of his 31 starts, Scallopini finished sixth in the Group 2 Moreton Cup at Eagle Farm in June and sixth in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast in July before his defeat by Emerald Kingdom.

Hoysted said a rain-affected track was another positive factor to start Scallopini.

“He loves the sting out of the ground but he’ll need a lot of luck from the draw,” he said.

The Sunshine Coast is currently in the soft range and Scallopini has won three of his four starts on soft tracks but failed at his only attempt in heavy going.

Scallopini is in for another light preparation with the stable deciding to pull up stumps after the Sunshine Coast Cup.

“He’ll go for a break after this and come back for the winter carnival again,” Hoysted said.

“He’s a hard horse to place because of his high rating.

“He’s normally a 1200 to 1400 metre horses but he’s getting older now so he might stretch out to 1600 metres.”