Warwick eyes Perth Cup victory

Myalup trainer Justin Warwick has one eye on the $500,000 Group 2 TABtouch Perth Cup (2400m) for his dual country cup winner Material Man.

However, Warwick believes Material Man will carry too much weight to win this Saturday’s $1 million Group 1 Magic Millions-Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at Ascot Racecourse.

Most of the field will carry 59kg, 5kg heavier than the gelding’s preferred weight.

“If he could run a nice fifth or sixth I would be happy,” Warwick told the South Western Times.

“There is nothing else for him. We need to go into this to keep fit for the Perth Cup.

“It (the Perth Cup) is only four weeks away, but that is a long time in racing. But he is looking good.”

Warwick believed Darren Weir’s Black Heart Bart, who won the 2015 Bunbury Stakes, would be the horse to beat this weekend.

The 2017 XXXX Gold Bunbury and Northam Cup winner will have Mitchell Pateman in the saddle because Justin’s daughter Lucy is serving a 10-day suspension.

Warwick said he hoped to have Lucy back riding Material Man for the rest of his campaign.

The proud father said he was pleased with how the 22-year-old had bounced back from a break from racing as well as two bad falls this year.

“Like any sport it finds you out mentally and physically,” he said.

“She got herself through it and got some confidence from racing a couple of winners.”