INTERNATIONAL Cup hero State Taj is not yet the force he was last year but his astute Melbourne trainer James Riley is hoping it will all come together on the day.
Last season State Taj travelled badly but perked up dramatically in the 24 hours leading into the showpiece 1,800-metre event in which he then went out and led his rivals a merry dance under a brilliant ride from Damien Oliver to get the money at the wonder odds of 30-1.
'He was around 7-1 at home which was a much truer reflection of his chances,' Riley recalled with a wry smile at Sha Tin yesterday morning.
There are no worries about the way State Taj has handled the trip this time round but Riley is candid enough to admit: 'I haven't been able to get him to the same level as he was last season.
'His last run was disappointing. We've got to admit that but I have set him for this race and this race only and he'd been doing all his work what we call the Sydney way round.
'That may explain his run in the Nissan [Stakes] and it is possible that he will come right on the day. That is what we're all hoping.' State Taj is available at 12-1 with London bookmakers Ladbrokes for a repeat success in the $5.5 million contest which will also be bet on in Australia, Canada, Macau, Malaysia and Singapore, Mexico, New Zealand and the United States.
