Luke Fernie will launch a multi-pronged attack at Saturday’s Amelia Park-Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) as he bids to win the $500.000 event for the first time.
Fernie will saddle up Man Crush, Left The Building, Costume Party and will be sweating on second emergency Sweep The Leg gaining a start.
Tabtouch rates Left The Building as the pick of his runners after he arrived with a powerful finish to defeat Street Parade in the Perth Stakes (1100m).
Fernie expects further improvement from the Exceed And Excel colt who was having his second race start after a debut third last November.
“He’s come through that run well and I would like to think he will take benefit,” Fernie told Tabradio.
“He had only been to the races once before and natural improvement should come from it.
“I reckon he has switched on a lot since his last start.
“Going to the races and getting the nervous energy out of him will bring him on in leaps and bounds.
“I think he has fixated his attention into wanting to be a racehorse.”
Fernie has a healthy opinion of Man Crush but was left lamenting after the Manhattan Rain gelding copped an outside draw.
Backing up from his second win last month, Man Crush tired over the final 50m when seventh in the Perth Stakes.
“My heart shrunk when barrier 13 was pulled out,” Fernie said.
“I have a lot of time for this boy and told dad (Peter) if he drew a barrier it was going to take something special to go past him.
“It’s looks harder than if he had drawn a nice alley.
“His run the other day (Perth Stakes) was full of merit, burning the candles at both ends.
“We’ll be positive out of the barriers and I’m sure he is going to run a fantastic race.”
Amelia’s Jewel is all the rage as the $1.80 favourite. Left The Building and Street Parade share the next line of betting at $9.
Costume Party is currently $34 with Tabtouch. After winning on debut she has since reeled off five consecutive placings.
Fernie says she may lack top level class to win the Karrakatta Plate, but she is honest as the day is long.
Costume Party goes into the Karrakatta Plate on the back of a third and a second to Amelia’s Jewel in the Supremacy Stakes (1000m) and Gimcrack Stakes (1100m) respectively.
“She’s brave every time she goes to the races,” Fernie said.
“She puts in 120 per cent every time she starts.
“I have no doubt she is the second best filly behind Simon’s (Amelia’s Jewel).
“She’s a super filly and if you run second to her on Saturday I don’t think it’s anything to be disheartened by.
“She is going to go a long way, I think.”
From barrier four, Chris Parnham rides Left The Building, Brad Rawiller sits on Man Crush and Costume Party has gate 12 for Jade McNaught.
Fernie, who only branched out on his own in town a few years ago, is having his third crack at winning the Karrakatta Plate.
Spin The Knife ran 13th last year and Our Danni 10th in 2020.