In the hype surrounding Snitzerland’s record breaking Challenge Stakes win and the return of fourth placegetter Hay List from injury, the performance of Decision Time was overlooked by many.
The five-year-old produced a slashing second in the Group Two race, his first start for 18 months in a career that has been beset by injury.
Decision Time - Photo by Steve Hart
Trainer Clarry Conners was happy to escape the limelight after the Challenge but is hoping to be front and centre at the presentation of trophies after Saturday’s Group One Galaxy (1100m).
“He ran a great race in the Challenge after such a long time off,” Conners said.
“He’d been sidelined longer than Hay List but they all wanted to talk about him.
“That’s OK with me. He’s done super since and everything is fine which is a relief.”
Runner-up to Crystal Lily in the 2010 Golden Slipper, Decision Time bled during his win in the Group Two Stan Fox Stakes later that year.
The automatic three-month ban was another setback for the gelding who has had ongoing feet issues which have restricted his career to 16 starts, eight of which he has won.
Conners admits it can be difficult to manage horses with the sorts of problems Decision Time has but also rewarding when they perform well.
“With a horse like him it is always a worry,” Conners said.
“You have to train them differently and not put too much pressure on them.
“But I’m just happy to have him back.”
Decision Time will meet many of the same horses again on Saturday as he did in the Challenge with James McDonald retaining the ride.
Hay List is almost certain to run after getting 59.5kg, a weight trainer John McNair is happy with after saying he would not run him if he got more than 60kg.
The triple Group One winner is headed for another showdown with Black Caviar in the TJ Smith on April 13.
Two years ago he led the champion mare down the straight at Randwick before she strode past him to win by almost three lengths.
In her absence in the All Aged Stakes two weeks later, Hay List led all the way on a heavy track in the race which is again on his program.
