If Our Norman causes an upset and wins the XXXX Kalgoorlie Cup (2300m) on Saturday, it won’t come as a complete shock to Perth trainer, Chris Willis.
Chris Willis concedes the clash between Our Norman and hot favourite Villeins is a David versus Goliath battle, but he’s confident of a competitive performance.
Willis said Our Norman had improved and bounced out of a hard run in the Boulder Cup (2100m) in good order when fifth to the fast-finishing Villeins.
Our Norman took up the running and set a fast pace in front in the Boulder Cup, but faded in the straight to finish 6 ½ lengths from the winner.
Willis admitted he was pleasantly surprised on how well Our Norman recovered from the Boulder Cup and how he adapted traveling to Kalgoorlie by float.
Although there is a big disparity in Tabtouch markets, Willis expects Our Norman to run a competitive race in the Kalgoorlie Cup.
“That’s what I was a bit surprised about,” Willis said on Tabradio.
“The travel up and the travel back he was right on his tucker the whole way.
“If anything, he sort of improved on it a little bit, like his mannerisms around the place.
“He’s done everything right and my expectation is to win, there’s no doubt about that.
“We probably went hard the other day (Boulder Cup) and he did a power of work.
“I expect him to run well and be very, very competitive.”
Our Norman has drawn ideally in barrier one. Troy Turner takes over from Holly Watson who has partnered the Trade Fair gelding in eight previous starts.
Our Norman is currently rated a $15 chance. Villeins is the hot $1.95 market leader.
