Punt Paying off with Brisbane Cup Hope Midsummer Sun

A decision to head to Europe and take a “punt” is already paying off for Sam Kavanagh.

Midsummer Sun is Brisbane Cup bound. Photo by: Jenny Barnes.

Last year the young Adelaide trainer went on a buying mission to the UK in an effort to add some quality, tried horses to his growing team.

One he came back with was Midsummer Sun, a five-year-old gelding formerly trained by Sir Henry Cecil.

Without any confirmed clients, Kavanagh spent around $160,000 buying and transporting the stayer back to Australia and at the moment it’s looking like a pretty smart move.

The five-year-old is unbeaten from two starts for Kavanagh and has just arrived in Queensland for a tilt at next month’s Group 2 Brisbane Cup.

Kavanagh admits he took a risk when buying Midsummer Sun and another galloper during his trip to England but couldn’t be happier with how it is panning out so far.

So happy is Kavanagh with Midsummer Sun’s success, he is already planning to purchase more imports this year.

“I went and bought these horses without clients and took a punt,” Kavanagh told Radio Sports National.

“I’m pretty proud of the team I’ve got around me. I’ve got great people who have supported me.”

The son of Monsun touched down in Brisbane for his winter mission on Wednesday night and Kavanagh said he is settling in well to his new surrounds.

“He flew into Queensland last night. He’s travelled well, his temperature’s good. I’m really happy with him,” he said.

Midsummer Sun will have two starts in Queensland, running in Saturday week’s Premier’s Cup (2200m) before the major goal of the Brisbane Cup (2400m) on June 8.

In what is cause for optimism, the exciting prospect’s history suggests he will only improve as he steps up in distance in the coming weeks.

“He was proven over a mile and a half (2400m) in Europe,” Kavanagh said.

“Both of his wins here have been over 2000m and 1600m.”

Kavanagh is also expecting his recent stable addition to improve with time, with leading jockey Glen Boss indicating he was still “green” in Australian conditions during  his win in the Peter Street Handicap at Caulfield on Saturday.

“He [Boss] said he doesn’t know what he’s doing in Australian conditions yet but said he gave him a great feel,” Kavanagh said.

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