Slow Surface Won’t Scare Sepoy In Manikato

Sepoy

Sepoy's only defeat to date has been in wet conditions

There was plenty of hype surrounding Sepoy and his first step up to open grade in the Group 1 Manikato Stakes tomorrow night at Moonee Valley however that hype has proved to be a cautious optimism at best.

While he comes into this league with devastating form against his three year old counterparts it seems as if people don’t quite consider him the sure fire favourite they once did.

Paul Snowden is overseeing the final preparations along with his father Peter and says while they don’t often step up their three year olds to open group 1 level he’s confident they’ve found one which can cope with it.

“He can do this type of thing…it doesn’t happen a lot but when it does happen hopefully 9 times out of 10 we can get it right,” he said.

Another reason for the cooling interest in Sepoy could well be the poor weather which in combination with the Moonee Valley track has brought down many a favourite in the past.

“Who knows what this joint will throw up, it’s a bit ordinary sometimes,” he said.

“We’ll just have to see what happens in the next 24 hours and see what comes up.”

Sepoy has never run on anything rated less than a dead track however his only loss did come in wet conditions in the Todman Stakes earlier this year.

That being said Darley isn’t expecting it to be an issue.

“He got beat half a length, he didn’t get beat 10 so he still got through it ok,” Snowden said.

At the same time it’s not something they’re exactly hoping for either.

“I think everyone wants a decent surface to be running on this Friday night,” he said.

In a real show of faith in the colt though Darley have said they are committed to running him regardless of what the track rating turns out to be come tomorrow evening in Melbourne.

About The Author