Injury plagued Speedeor is at single figure odds for his return to racing in the Listed $120,000 SAJ Fruit Supply Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday.
Speedeor, above, is resuming in the Carlyon Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
The lightly raced four year old is the winner of three of his four race starts but hasn’t appeared on a race track since winning the $100,000 Magic Millions 3&4yo Classic (1100m) at Ballarat in November last year.
Trainer Darren Weir explained that Speedeor had to overcome a severe case of colic that required an operation and the Northern Meteor stallion also had to recover from several leg injuries.
“He’s had a lot of little niggles but he’s finally over them all and he’s a beautiful-standing horse now,” Weir told racing.com.
“He had to have colic surgery. The way they do it now works out pretty good. Most of the colic operations are a success – an odd one is obviously not – but he got over that really good.
“He’s (also) had a lot of trouble with his shins, but they are all good now.”
Speedeor is currently marked at $6 for the Carlyon Stakes and is the second pick behind the short priced $2.25 favourite Heatherly at Ladbrokes.com.au.
Weir is looking for a good first up performance from Speedeor but admits that the four year old will definitely be improved with the run.
“He’ll take a run or two but I think he’ll get back to form,” Weir said.
“He’s a horse that ran well until the problem struck. He’s developed into a great sort of horse with a nice pedigree so we’re hoping he can go on.”
Speedeor has drawn barrier seven in the thirteen horse Carlyon Stakes field with Luke Nolen in the saddle again after partnering the four year old to all his three wins at Cranbourne, Flemington and Ballarat.
Weir will also saddle up El Divino who will jump from gate six with Michael Dee taking the mount.
El Divino has failed to live up to the hype of being Winx’s little half-brother with only two wins from nine starts and is currently marked as an $8 chance for the Carlyon Stakes.
“We’ve just got to keep him to Soft tracks,” Weir said.
“He just needs Soft ground. That’s the trick with him.”
