A gear mishap cruelled the chances of Vatuvei in last year’s Stayers Cup but the Victorian will get another roll of the dice in Saturday’s renewal of the stamina test.
Vatuvei came into the 2013 race off the back of a placing in the McKell Cup but did not get the chance to make an impact.
His saddle slipped badly, forcing him to be retired from the race which was eventually won by Peal Of Bells.
Trainer Peter Moody had to wait until last month’s Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington to finally test Vatuvei over two miles (3200m) and the horse responded with a second to Unchain My Heart.
That run could prove to be an important advantage on Saturday with the meeting set to go ahead on a heavy track.
“He’s an honest horse once he gets up over a distance,” Moody’s Sydney representative Clare Cunningham said.
“His was a very tough run last start.
“He doesn’t mind the wet either and if he races up to his last start he’s a really good chance on Saturday.”
Vatuvei has a modest winning strike rate with three victories from his 32 starts but significantly, two of those have been on heavy tracks.
Cunningham said the horse had been put over a few hurdles to keep him sharp since his Andrew Ramsden placing.
Stable jockey Linda Meech has ridden Vatuvei at his past two starts and will make the trip from Melbourne to Sydney to stick with the five-year-old.
She will also partner Moody’s three other runners at Randwick including Kneeling in the Listed June Stakes and juvenile Statton in the opening race.
“Linda has been a stable jockey for a long time, she knows how to ride Pete’s horses, especially if Plan A doesn’t work out,” Cunningham said.
“She’s a fantastic rider and she knows how to get the job done.”
Statton showed promise at his initial campaign which included a Canterbury victory and has opened favourite with bookmakers, although he is untried in the wet.