Weary will be dropping back to 1400 metres in the 2014 All Aged Stakes, but connections do not believe that the imported galloper will have any problems handling the step back in trip in the Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Weary recorded his maiden Australian race win in the Doncaster Prelude over 1500 metres and will drop back to 1400 metres for the 2014 All Aged Stakes this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Weary was trapped four wide in the early stages of the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Royal Randwick on April 12 and a post-race veterinary examination revealed that he had sustained a laceration to his near hind fetlock, but he still managed to run home strongly to finish third behind stablemates Sacred Falls and Royal Descent.
Chris Waller stable representative Peter Muscatt said that Weary had been given a chance to freshen up following his impressive performance in the Doncaster Mile and he is confident that the Astronomer Royal gelding will produce another strong effort in the 2014 All Aged Stakes this weekend.
“I don’t think it is a major issue for him,” Muscatt told TVN.
“He is a pretty straightforward horse on race day and he has taken his races very, very well.
“He is a tough horse and he had a tough run round in the Doncaster, but to his credit he finished off very well.
“He has had his prescribed time off, but he freshened up very well and I see him running a big race.
“We have just shortened his work a little bit, but with the two weeks between runs he has had ample time to freshen.
“He has only had the one prep and he has done exceptionally well.”
Weary has made excellent progression since making his Australian racing debut with a third place finish in the TAB Rewards Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 15; finishing second in the Group 2 Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 22 before winning the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) at the same venue on April 5 and finishing third in the Doncaster Mile.
Weary is currently available at 2014 All Aged Stakes odds of $5.50; with T.J. Smith Stakes runner-up Rebel Dane ($3) a clear favourite from Coolmore Classic winner Steps In Time ($5.50) and veteran sprinter Tiger Tees ($8.50).
