Jardine satisfied with Nakeeta Cup weight

Darryl Sherer - Thursday September 14

Nakeeta's Melbourne Cup weight has got the thumbs up from Scottish trainer Ian Jardine who has confirmed Flemington is the next stop for the Ebor Handicap winner.

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Nakeeta winning the Ebor Handicap. Photo: Twitter

Last year's winner of the Ebor, Heartbreak City went on to finish a close second to Almandin in the Melbourne Cup and Jardine told the Sporting Life he was satisfied with 53kg for Australia's greatest race.

"He's got the same mark as Heartbreak City and he should get a run," Jardine said. "I think we'll go - It's not every year you get the chance to run in a Melbourne Cup."

The six-year-old Nakeeta finished runner-up to subsequent Sydney Cup winner Polarisation over a mile and half at Hamilton in 2015.

At his last start he carried 9:00 (57kg) to defeat Flymetothestars in the Ebor Handicap over a mile and three-quarters on August 26.

Jardine said if the son of Sixties Icon reproduces his York form he believes he will be competitive.

"I'd be hopeful of getting him there in the same form he is now and if he is, he must have a chance," Jardine said.

"He's a stayer with a change of gear which is what you need."

Nakeeta is available at $34 with Sportsbet for the 2017 Melbourne Cup.

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