Melbourne Cup winning trainer Darren Weir is expecting that his two time Group 1 winner Trust In A Gust will ‘need the run’ when he resumes from spell in the Group 2 $200,000 Jeep Australia Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Dual G1 winner Trust In A Gust is resuming in the Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Trust In A Gust is resuming following a minor operation to remove a bone chip from his stifle which was discovered following his uncharacteristic seventh to Shiraz in the Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on August 8.
Weir has virtually conceded that the Keep The Faith five year old will have the job ahead of him to win first up but added that good horses have the ability to surprise.
“I don’t think he can win. He’ll need the run,” Weir told the Herald Sun.
“We’re thinking maybe he might be cherry ripe for the Orr Stakes second-up, but he’s been off a long time and I’m just thinking that from the outside gate he will get back and run on pleasingly.’’
“But I guess good horses can sometimes surprise you, and he is a bloody good horse.”
“We galloped him at Camperdown the other day and he went well enough to think he’s going as good as he was.”
Trust In A Gust will line up second-up in the Group 1 $500,000 C.F. Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 13 and Weir is hoping to win another Group 1 race with him before he starts his stud career at Swettenham Stud in the Spring.
“Yeah, I guess he’s one of those horses who comes with a bit of expectation. It’d be nice to get another big win with him — and he’s come back pretty good,’’ Weir said.
Brad Rawiller takes the ride on Trust In A Gust who will need plenty of luck in the early and middle stages after drawing the outside barrier in the thirteen horse field.
Trust In A Gust was one of the stars of the 2014 Melbourne Spring Carnival when he collected a Group 1 double at Caulfield with wins in the $400,000 Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup (1400m) and in the $400,000 Toorak Handicap (1600m).
In early betting for the Australia Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au, Trust In A Gust has eased slightly from $8 to $9 in a congested market order that has seven horses under the $10 mark.
Sydney sprinter Rebel Dane is a clear cut firming favourite at $3.30 ahead of Durendal at $7, Holler at $8, Hucklebuck at $8.50 with Rageese and Mourinho also at $9.
