Trainer Darren Weir has revealed that he is keen to see 2013 Melbourne Cup favourite Puissance De Lune hit the line strongly in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Trainer Darren Weir is hoping that Puissance De Lune will be hitting the line strongly in the Underwood Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Puissance De Lune made his Group 1 debut in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) a fortnight ago and looked as though he had the race won but was caught in the final stages by Foreteller after starting his run a long way from home.
Weir said he wants to see the Shamardal entire given a quieter ride in the Underwood Stakes and he believes that a strong finishing effort, looking ahead to the Cox Plate (2040m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m), is more important that the final result this weekend.
“I would be keen to ride him a bit quieter to be strong late,” Weir told Racing Ahead.
“I think the most important thing is that he is hitting the line strong that is what I want to see.
“Where he is during the race I will probably leave that up to Glen but I want his last bit to be the best bit.
“We are happy with the horse and we think that he will run well.
“Where that is finishing in the race I am not too sure but he is in a really good spot for where we are heading.”
Glen Boss has been critical of his ride on Puissance De Lune in the Makybe Diva Stakes and Weir admitted that he didn’t believe it was the Melbourne Cup winning jockeys’ best effort.
“Glen mentioned during the week that he got going a bit early,” Weir said.
“I am sure that if Glen had it over again he would wait another 100 or 200 yards.”
There has been plenty of rain in Melbourne this weekend and the Caulfield track is expected to be on the slow side, which Weir believes is an advantage for the imported stayer who has strong form on rain-affected going.
“I think the rain is great,” Weir said.
“He can obviously run well on good tracks as well but at this stage in his preparation a bit of give in the ground is terrific.”
Puissance De Lune is on the second line of Underwood Stakes betting markets at odds of $8.50, with glamour mare Atlantic Jewel ($1.50) the clear favourite.
