3 minute read
Nick Ryan will have dual representation in the Travis Harrison Cup.
Nick Ryan will unveil his latest import when Urban Oasis steps out at Moonee Valley.
A four-time winner from 11 starts in Ireland, Urban Oasis will be having his first start in over 12 months when he lines up in the Travis Harrison Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Urban Oasis joins fellow Irish import Cap De Joie, a three-time winner in Australia, in Ryan's stable while the trainer has another couple of raced imports that are untested on Australian soil.
Flemington-based Ryan said Urban Oasis was a nice type of horse and is expecting the gelding to run well on Saturday.
He will carry just 51kg after the claim for apprentice Wiremu Pinn.
"He's a nice horse, he won his most recent start overseas over 2500 metres and before that he'd strung a few wins together," Ryan said.
"It will be exciting to see where he is at and where we're heading with him."
Urban Oasis has had a couple of jump-outs at Flemington in preparation for his return but has been comfortably held over the short trips.
However, Ryan expects the 1600m journey, a trip he was successful over in Ireland, to suit the gelding first-up on Saturday.
"I think he will run well," Ryan said.
"I think the mile is a nice kick off point for him. He's not an overly big horse, but he is clean winded and fit so he should run a mile on his ear.
"He has won on some undulating, tight tracks in Ireland so I don't think Moonee Valley will worry him."
Urban Oasis will be joined by stablemate Edison in Saturday's race.
Edison has been winless since scoring at Caulfield last July and spent time in Queensland with John Smerdon before returning to Ryan's care.
In his return run for Ryan, Edison finished last at Caulfield on July 8 in the corresponding race he had been successful in 12 months earlier.
"He's honest and if you get him in the right race with the right conditions, he can win," Ryan said.
