New look Constantinople returns in Easter Cup

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Constantinople

The Group 3 Easter Cup at on Saturday will be a day of reckoning for imported galloper Constantinople.

Arriving from Ireland for the 2019 spring , Constantinople was an eye-catching fourth behind Mer De Glace in that year's Caulfield Cup.

Constantinople followed up running 13th to Vow And Declare in the Melbourne Cup and has raced only three times since.

After two autumn starts last year, Constantinople was gelded and following his return run in the spring, in which he finished last in the at Caulfield, a wind operation was called for.

Saturday's 2000m Easter Cup will be the first time has applied real pressure to Constantinople this campaign although they are happy with his progress.

“We were thinking of running him last week in the , but we decided to use a European style and go straight to the 2000 metres and run him at his distance,” co-trainer said.

“He's been clearly disappointing since his runs in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

“It's his second prep as a gelding and he's had the wind operation and we're just hopeful a crossover noseband, a tongue tie and his breathing will turn him around.

“But until he gets under race day pressure, we won't really know.”

Dabernig, who trains Constantinople with his cousin , says the gelding is physically than when he arrived and very , not one that will feel the effects of hard ground.

Stablemate Harlem is set for one more start after finishing 12th in the last month.

“He pulled-up so well and sound, we thought we'd try and send him out on a good note,” Dabernig said.

“There's a chance he may go to Living Legends, if not he'll be retired to Lindsay Park.”

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