Big Money was included in the 2016 Summer Sprint field that was released this morning, but the talented sprinter is no certainty to contest the race and could be saved for a first-up tilt at the 2016 Expressway Stakes.
Big Money could return to the races in the Summer Sprint at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Trainer Rodney Northam made the decision to include Big Money in the Summer Sprint acceptances this morning as well as a barrier trial that will be held at Muswellbrook tomorrow, but Northam has found issues with both paths and may elect to give the six-year-old a quite week before a potential exhibition gallop and barrier trial ahead of the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 30.
“I worked him this morning as if I was going to Sydney, but I’ll just see,” Northam told AAP.
“I was originally just going to trial him at Muswellbrook on Thursday but the weather looks like being really hot.
“This race (on Saturday) looked a bit light on but I’m a bit fifty-fifty about which way I should go.
“I’m quite happy with where he’s at but a lot is depending on the weather.”
Big Money was the star performer of the 2014 Brisbane Summer Racing Carnival and he took out both the Group 3 George Moore Stakes (1200m) and Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) in impressive fashion, but he was unable to replicate that form during his winter campaign.
He failed to fire first-up in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 18 and he performed fairly, but was outclassed in the Group 1 BTC Cup (1200m) at Doomben on May 9, the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1350m) at the same venue on May 23 and the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) on June 6.
Ten horses were included in the Summer Sprint field that was released this morning, but trainer Dean Binaisse has already elected to scratch Fab Fevola.
Big Money has a clear edge over the rest of the field in terms of benchmark handicap rating, but he will still face stiff competition from the likes of Diamond Oasis, Boss Lane, Tahitian Black, Inside Job, Felines, Gojo Mimo, Earhtly Tiger and Rolston.
Big Money was purchased for just $75,000 at the Inglis Scone Select Yearling Sale, but he has recorded nine wins from his 19 race starts and already accumulated just shy of $600,000 in prizemoney for connections.
