Kelso Wood, who rates Sizzling the best horse he’s trained, insists the top-class colt won’t be troubled by a seven-day back-up in Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap.
Wood can’t fault Sizzling since he returned to winning form in the Queensland Guineas at Eagle Farm last Saturday and is confident the three-year-old can stage a repeat performance at the same track on Saturday.
“He backed up from 1400 metres to a mile last year and it never worried him,” Wood told RadioTAB.
“This week he’s just trot and cantered with a little bit of pacework. He doesn’t need anymore, he’s a fit horse.”
Sizzling wore blinkers for the first time in the Guineas which Wood believes made him concentrate on racing.
“The blinkers have switched him on a bit more at the start and when he gets travelling you can make a long run on him,” he said.
“Chris (Munce) rode him aggressively and made a long, searching run which he needs to do.
“The further he goes the better he gets.”
When asked if Sizzling was the best horse he has trained Wood said: “I’d say so. I’ve had a lot of good horses but they never got to the heights he has.”
He believes Zero Rock should have won in 2011 when she finished third to Sincero after being forced to race three-deep without cover for most of the race.
Sizzling has drawn barrier 18 but should move in to stall 14 if the emergencies do not start.
Wood expects Munce will position Sizzling midfield and employ the tactics which were successful in the Guineas.
“There should be good speed in the race and he can work his way into it and look to get onto the back of something with a bit of cover,” he said.
Apart from Sizzling, Wood will be represented in the Stradbroke by BRC Sprint winner Belltone (Christian Reith) and Spirit Song (Michael Walker) who only recently joined his stable.
Sizzling has drifted in betting to $5.50 and deposed as Stradbroke favourite by BTC Cup winner Your Song who has firmed to $4.60.
Doomben 10,000 winner Epaulette was deserted by punters after he drew barrier 22 for the Stradbroke but has firmed again to $7 while Buffering has eased to $9.
