The Eighth Maker is a attempting back-to-back successes in Listed company in the Christmas Handicap at Morphettville toda.
Source: Sunday Mail (SA)

TALENTED galloper The Eighth Maker is searching for back-to-back Listed success in today’s Christmas Handicap (1400m) at Morphettville.

The Lloyd Kennewell-prepared gelding has been in remarkable form this campaign and picked up the biggest win of his career a fortnight ago, when he took out the City Of Marion Stakes.

The Morphettville trainer is confident that The Eighth Maker can step up again in today’s $80,000 Christmas feature event. “He should be hard to beat, he’s going really well and his form speaks for itself,” Kennewell said.

“I couldn’t have him any better, he’s come through the run in the City Of Marion really well.

“No Christmas Handicap is easy to win, it’s a very competitive race, but my bloke is on top of his game.”

The lightly raced six-year-old has won four of his five starts this preparation and will jump from barrier nine with Shayne Cahill on board.

“The only thing I’d be worried about is that he’s been in work for while,” Kennewell said.

“I’ve said this so many times I might be sounding like John Farnham, but I think this really should his last run for this preparation.

“He’s done a good job, there’s no point killing him.”

Kennewell rates Barwon Express and Bagman as the two biggest dangers to his charge.

It’s a big day for the stable with six gallopers nominated on the eight-race card.

Most interest surrounds the smart Bertucci, who was desperately unlucky when finishing second behind Little Akie when resuming last week. The More Than Ready four-year-old, who ran in the SA Derby earlier this year, flew home despite being inconvenienced a couple of times in the straight.

“It was just an unfortunate chain of events, I thought he should’ve won the race,” Kennewell said.

“He looks super hard to beat, the only query I have is the nine-day back-up, second-up.

“But he’s spot on and I’m confident going into the race.”