Dalasan out to break Group 1 duck 

Dalasan will be out to break through at Group 1 level at his 13th attempt when he steps out at Randwick on Saturday in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap.

The Leon McDonald & Andrew Gluyas trained five-year-old has run in the twelves group ones including the Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Queen Elizabeth and Doncaster Mile plus last year’s All-Star Mile. 

He’s come close to breaking the hoodoo on multiple occasions running 2nd in the 2020 SA Derby behind Russian Camelot, a head away Verry Ellegant in the 2020 Turnbull Stakes and this year 3rd in both the Doncaster Mile and Queen Elizabeth, both at the venue he heads to on Saturday.

After running over sprinting trips first and second up co-trainer Andrew Gluyas believes the South Australian star is ready to peak 3rd up heading into Saturday’s contest. 

“He’s ready to go now, he’s had those couple of runs to get his foundation. We’ve kept him fit and he’s ready to go so no excuses for him now, hopefully he can bring his best,” said Gluyas. 

“Those two starts were outstanding really, he was very competitive with Cascadian and Icebath in the Doncaster and then up to the 2000 with Addeybb and Verry Elleegant.

“He’s around the mark, his form there is very good.”

Connections have picked up the services of James McDonald who is in some sort of form leading the NSW jockey’s metro premiership by a stunning 11 wins in the early part of the season.

Dalasan has been given the 55kg and with the rain predicted in the next 48 hours in Sydney all the boxes are getting ticked according to Gluyas.  

“We think he gets in quite well, he’s form around Mo’unga is there and he will be right around the mark if he can get a nice run and if he brings his competitive self he should be right around the mark,” he said. 

“The soft tracks suit him well, he’s got good form on the soft tracks, he relishes those conditions.”

Dalasan is currently rated a $15 chance in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap. 

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