Kennel Change For Good Juan Ahead Of Sydney Cup

CHAMPION trainer Jason Mackay says he's fighting the clock to have recent kennel acquisition Good Juan ready for a tilt at the fast approaching Sydney Cup (720m) at Wentworth Park.

Mackay, renowned for his prowess with a stayer, having guided the careers of half-milers the caliber of Texas Gold, Classy Customer, Zipping Lad and Big Sam Banner, picked up Good Juan for his Sydney Cup campaign on Sunday night.

"He's a fast animal but it's usually rocks or diamonds with him but we'll give it a crack and see how we go," Mackay said.

"No doubt I've got my work cut out. It's 2 ½ weeks until the Sydney Cup heats but at least he's going back to a track he's familiar with and goes at.”

Heats of the Sydney Cup are scheduled for Friday, October 9 with the $100,000 to-the-winner finale to be run and won the following week on a grand card of racing, headlined by the TAB Million Dollar Chase Grand Final.

Good Juan's most recent appearance was at The Meadows on September 12 when finishing a well beaten seventh over the 600 metres for trainer Darren Fisher.

"You've got to call it as you see it – he could come out and break a record or get a ticket – that's the dog," Mackay said.

“He's got the V8 engine but you only see it the second half of his races. If he aims up in the heats he'll be a lot better for the final which is the aim obviously.

“I'm not sure if he'll have a start before the heats but I'd say it'll be unlikely. I'll just work him and get him right and see what we come up with.”