Trainer Tom Charlton is confident that Cross Tasman is perfectly placed for a winning performance this Saturday at Royal Randwick.

The five-year-old gelding has demonstrated remarkable consistency, boasting four wins and six placings from eleven career starts. His recent form includes two runner-up finishes since returning from a spell, initially in the Goulburn Cup and subsequently behind the highly-rated Decorum at Rosehill just three weeks ago.

Cross Tasman is set to compete in the HKJC World Pool Handicap, a Benchmark 88 event. Charlton, who trains in partnership with John O’Shea, believes the horse’s current form makes him a strong contender for the 1400-metre race.

“It was a strong performance last time,” Charlton stated. “We just nearly had the winner in a pocket which would have potentially changed things but the winner there looks a group horse and he gapped out third. He’s really progressing nicely and he’ll present a good chance this weekend.”

Michael Freedman’s charge, Decorum, is slated for The Silver Eagle on Saturday. While O’Shea & Charlton have Napoleonic entered, Charlton indicated the stable is leaning towards the Sydney Stakes over 1200 metres for that horse.

Following Saturday’s engagement, Cross Tasman is expected to pursue Sydney’s Spring Carnival riches, with a likely target being the $750,000 Little Dance on Melbourne Cup day.

“He is qualified for the Little Dance on Cup day having placed in the Goulburn Cup first up and that would seem a logical route for him after Saturday,” Charlton confirmed. “The Five Diamonds over 1800 metres is not out of the realms of possibility as well, it would be a five day backup but it’s something we’ll have in the back of our mind as well.”

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