Trainer Nigel Blackiston is confident that Desert Jeuney will play a part in the finish when he contests the 2015 All Victorian Sprint Series Final at Flemington on Saturday.
Desert Jeuney has the chance to return to winning form in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Desert Jeuney suffered an injury and was forced to have surgery to remove bone chips from his fetlock in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8, but his returned to racing with a strong effort when fourth in the Takeover Target Tribute Handicap (1100m) at Flemington on June 27.
Blackiston was thrilled with the first-up performance of Desert Jeuney and he told Racing Ahead that the Desert King gelding had taken plenty of benefit out of his first-up run heading into the All Victorian Sprint Series Final this weekend.
“He was excellent and he has come on from that run really well,” Blackiston said.
“It is nice to get him back on track and this is a race we have picked out for him to have his second start.
“Now we have plans leading into the early part of the spring.
“He has top weight and he has improved from last start, but obviously now we are trying to save a fair bit in the tank ready for the early spring.
“If we can ride him a little bit quieter and get the last crack at them on Saturday then he should be in the finish.”
Desert Jeuney has been a consistent performer at Group level over the past 18 months, but he has not recorded a race win since he took out the Sofitel Girls’ Day Out Handicap (2000m) at Flemington in September of 2013.
He started his autumn campaign with fair efforts in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 16 and the Listed The Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington on September 13, but he produced the best performance of his racing career to date when he finished third behind Trust In A Gust and Speediness in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11 and he was third in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 25 before he suffered an injury in the Emirates Stakes.
Desert Jeuney will carry the top-weight of 60 kilograms in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final and is set to take on the likes of Hard Romp, Play Master, Nadeem Lass, Klishina, Smackdown, Lonrockstar, General Truce, Nearest To Pin and Solsay in the $150,000 event.
