Imported stayer Midsummer Sun will have his final run before heading to the spelling paddock in the Group 2 2013 Zipping Classic (2400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Midsummer Sun has the chance to record a maiden Group victory in the Zipping Classic at Caulfield on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Midsummer Sun was prepared by the great Sir Henry Cecil in the United Kingdom but failed to step up to the mark at Group level; finishing fifth behind My Quest For Peace, Dandino, Gatewood and Songcraft in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2414m).
The Monsun gelding joined the stable of rising trainer Sam Kavanagh at the end of 2012 and has shown a great deal of ability since making his Australian racing debut in Adelaide earlier this year.
Midsummer Sun won the Toll Express Handicap (1600m), despite jumping awkwardly, at Morphettville on April 27 and made it back-to-back victories when he worked home strongly to win the Peter Street Handicap (2000m) at Caulfield on May 11.
The promising gelding was taken to Brisbane for the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival and was thrown in the deep end at Group 3 level but failed to fire in the Premier’s Cup (2200m) after been well-backed in the lead-up to the race.
A veterinary examination conducted after the race found no abnormalities and Kavanagh put the poor performance down to the five-year-old over racing in the early stages of the race.
Midsummer Sun produced an improved performance a fortnight later in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) but still finished well behind Chris Waller-trained Moriarty, Group 1 winner Quintessential and Kiwi mare Zennista.
After a stint in the spelling paddock, the imported gelding returned to racing, after two fair barrier trial performances, when he finished seventh behind Strike The Stars in the City Tattersalls Club Handicap (1400m) before recording arguably his best performance since arriving in Australia when he flew home late to finish second behind Salon Soldier in the Listed Visit Victoria Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day.
Kavanagh was delighted with his star gallopers’ second-up performance and confirmed that he will take on what looks like being a relatively weak Group 2 field in the Zipping Classic this weekend.
“He’ll run in the Zipping Classic and I’ve booked Damien Oliver to ride,” Kavanagh told TVN.
“He’ll then go for a spell and be prepared for the Sydney autumn.”
Bendigo Cup winner Sertorius and Queen Elizabeth Stakes winner Precedence are also confirmed acceptances for the Zipping Classic.
