Weighty issue for Landlocked in Moruya Cup but trainer still backing the gelding

LANDLOCKED has been handicapped with one of the biggest imposts in years for Monday’s $30,000 Moruya Cup (1650m) – but trainer Joe Cleary maintains the gelding isn’t badly weighted.

LANDLOCKED has been handicapped with one of the biggest imposts in years for Monday’s $30,000 Moruya Cup (1650m) – but trainer Joe Cleary maintains the gelding isn’t badly weighted.

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Rising 10-year-old Landlocked, was allocated a massive 65.5kg, which equates to 10st 5lbs.

This was the huge weight the legendary Carbine famously shouldered to win the 1890 Melbourne Cup.

Cleary has booked inexperienced Brock Ryan to partner Landocked to reduce the horse’s handicap by a full 4kg.

“Landlocked carried 61kg when he ran third in the Goulburn Cup and that was a $100,000 race,’’ Cleary pointed out.

“One of our local stewards gave Brock a really good wrap so I’m happy to put him on an make use of his claim.

Tim Bell riding Landlocked at the Caloundra Cup Day.

“It brings Landlocked in with 61.5kg so I don’t think he is badly weighted.’’

Cleary hinted this could be Landlocked’s final race campaign after a career which has netted 10 wins from 38 starts and more than $310,000 prizemoney.

“I need to talk it over with (owner) Gerry Harvey and Claire Bird but there is not a lot around for Landlocked now,’’ Cleary said.

“He has been a great horse to me but the handicapper has got him beaten in the bush.

“So, we have to look at stakes races for him in the city but he is nearly 10 and is not quite up to that level now.

Gerry Harvey at the Magic Millions.

“I’m aiming him at the Canberra Cup (March 6). I’d like to get the old horse back winning again before he is retired.’’

The weight is also a worry for Canberra trainer Matthew Dale and his form mare Baylie Louise in the Moruya Cup.

Baylie Louise goes into the race off her strong win in the Cowra Cup and she has 61kg for today’s Moruya feature.

“She’s only a little mare and the weight is a concern,” Dale said.

“It’s a pretty big weight for a mare, it’s like a gelding having to carry 61kg.

“There’s not much we can do. She’s paying the price for being in such good form.

“She’s come through the Cowra Cup run really well, she looks good and feels well. She’s thriving this preparation.’’

Dale said his other option is to wait for later in the week and run Baylie Louise at Canterbury’s Friday night meeting.

#THE postponed Cessnock meeting is likely to go ahead on a heavy 10 track surface today.

An inspection of the Cessnock course proper at 6.30am yesterday found surface water at the 750m and 400m, leaving stewards with no alternative but to postpone the raceday.

With only Moruya programmed for today, Racing NSW was able to delay Cessnock 24 hours and hold the meeting today.