Rekindled Interest As Sound As Ever For Epsom Handicap

Trainer Jim Conlan believes that Rekindled Interest is as sounds as ever heading into the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Rekindled Interest will carry 55.5 kilos in the Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Rekindled Interest will carry 55.5 kilos in the Epsom Handicap at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Photo by: Taron Clarke

Rekindled Interest had surgery on both his knee and throat after he finished at the tail of the field in last year’s Cox Plate (2040m) and Conlan told Racing Ahead that both operations had helped the six-year-old significantly.

“After the Cox Plate last year he had a bit of surgery on his knee and throat surgery,” Conlan said.

“I think he is relatively pain free whereas he has always just had a few niggles to contend with.

“He is in good order and I couldn’t be happier with the way he has trained throughout his preparation.”

Rekindled Interest returned to the races with a very impressive second, carrying a big weight, in the Listed Drummond Golf Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 14 and showed more tactical speed than he generally has throughout his career.

Conlan said that he has changed the training regime for the son of Redoute’s Choice this preparation and based on his first-up run it appears to have pay dividends.

“I’ve trained him slightly differently this time,” Conlan said.

“His gallops have been short and sharp and he has done a lot of work at the beach.

“All his work has been short just to keep a bit of sharpness in him.

“He is happy to let go in his races more than he has been in the past.”

Conlan said that he never heads into a Group 1 race with too much confidence but feels as though Rekindled Interest is ready to run a big race in the Epsom Handicap this weekend.

“I never get that confident,” Conlan said.

“I am confident about a week out and then lose confidence as it gets closer.

“He is as sound as I have ever had him and it is just a matter of whether he gets luck in running and is good enough.

“He does seem in the right order for the race.”

Rekindled Interest is chasing his first victory at Group 1 level after previously being placed in the 2011 Cox Plate, 2011 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and 2012 George Ryder Stakes (1500m).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.