Precedence on Sydney Cup path

By Mark Ryan

MELBOURNE, March 14 AAP - Improving stayer Precedence showed he was on the right path to give Bart Cummings a fifth Sydney Cup with a comprehensive win on the final day of the Melbourne autumn carnival.

The four-year-old ran away from his rivals in Saturday's DFD Food Services Handicap (2000m) at Flemington to beat Fordee by seven lengths.

The Zabeel four-year-old has been restricted to just 15 career starts for which have netted three wins and two second placings.

"He'll go to Sydney now and run in handicap races on the way to the Sydney Cup," Cummings said.

Precedence, who has Japan Cup winner Jupiter Island and dual New Zealand Group One winner Lord Tavistock in his pedigree, was regarded as a Melbourne Cup prospect after he ran second in last year's VRC St Leger (2800m).

Winning jockey Luke Nolen said the previously wayward Precedence had "straightened up a lot" since being gelded.

"He travelled like the winner and when he gets his mind on this racing caper he'll be better again," Nolen said.

"He can gallop but he's just got to harness the nervous energy before and during a race.

"He's continued to improve as he's got older."

Precedence's spring campaign was halted after he ran 10th to Alcopop in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.

But he has responded well this campaign winning second-up over 1600m at Moonee Valley last month and again on Saturday.

Precedence ($2.40 fav) travelled well in the first four throughout and kicked away in the straight.

Meanwhile, Elmore celebrated his 50th race start with victory in his second 2600m race at Flemington.

Ridden by Nick Hall, the Testa Rossa gelding ($6.50), came with a well-timed run to take out the Roy Higgins Quality by a nose from Boom 'n' Zoom.

Caulfield trainer Luke Oliver said the six-year-old had been in work "for a hell of a long time" but was suited to the event after a weight drop of 4-1/2 kilos from his last start to 54.5kg on Saturday.

Oliver said the stayer did not appreciate apprentice riders.

"I don't know why it is but he doesn't give his best unless he's got a senior rider on him," Oliver said.

Elmore has now won six races and been placed on 11 other occasions.

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