Mornington trainer Jason Warren is expecting Bel Sprinter to rise to the top of the sprinting ranks in the Spring after the five year old failed to reach his potential in a disappointing Autumn campaign.
Trainer Jason Warren expects Bel Sprinter to rise to the top of the sprinting ranks this Spring. Photo by: Taron Clarke
Warren is confident Bel Sprinter has returned from a spell a more complete racehorse when he steps out for the first time this Spring in the Group 3 $150,000 Mitty’s McEwan Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley tomorrow.
Bel Sprinter’s barrier manners proved one of the geldings main hurdles when he failed to run a place in all the Group races he contested in the Autumn, but Warren is happy with the results of a month’s stay at an equestrian centre to improve his all round behaviour.
“Basically he’d become too big for his own boots and was just too full of himself and we needed to work on his manners,” Warren said.
“In the past he’d jog on to the track, but now he walks on to the track on a loose rein.”
Bel Sprinter is having his first Spring outing after blowing the jump and giving the rest of the field three to four lengths head start, before making up some ground in the straight to finish ninth to Temple Of Boom in the Group 1 $350,000 The James Boag Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick on April 21.
Saturday’s clash with Peter Moody’s inform Golden Archer will give Warren a good guide if Bel Sprinter is going to realise his potential which he showed early in his career with five wins from his first six starts.
“There’s no sprinter going better than Golden Archer and it will give us a great guide looking forward. I think we’ve got the class on our side and Golden Archer has the fitness,” Warren said.
With an excellent report card from Bel Sprinter’s extra schooling, Warren expects the Bel Esprit gelding to jump cleanly at Moonee Valley after displaying no signs of tardiness with a perfect getaway from the barrier’s in a Cranbourne barrier trial on August 14.
Ridden by race jockey Ben Melham, Bel Sprinter was able to win the 800m trial giving Warren plenty of confidence he needed heading into the Spring.
With the absence of the super mare Black Caviar and the injured Hay List this Spring, the top sprinting spot is up for grabs and will be hotly contest for by several top line gallopers.
Queensland trainer Robert Heathcote has the number one contender in Buffering after the five year old was placed second or third at his last six runs in Group 1 company.
While the Joe Pride trained Tiger Tees surprised a few when he lowered the colours of his more fancied stablemate Rain Affair with a first up win in the Group 3 $125,000 Concorde Stakes (1100m) Warwick Farm on September 8.
Add to the mix Satin Shoes, Golden Archer, Atomic Force, Temple Of Boom and the Bobbie Lewis placegetters We’re Gonna Rock, Spirit Of Boom and Title, the sprinting races over the Spring are shaping up to be very exciting.
