Troy Corstens is unsure whether Tried And Tired can make a winning return at Caulfield but he is certain the gelding will give it everything he’s got.
Tried And Tried resumes in Saturday’s Bel Esprit Stakes, attempting to build on a record of seven wins from 17 starts highlighted by a Listed victory and two stakes placings last campaign.
“He’s done a fantastic job and is a horse that tries very hard,” Corstens said.
“He doesn’t have the greatest pedigree in the world but I wish they all tried like he does.”
The five-year-old son of Niello cost $1700 as a weanling and has already amassed $300,000 prize money.
Tried And Tired’s wins have been at longer than the 1100m of Saturday’s Listed race and Corstens admits the distance is a question first-up.
“He’s probably just going to need the run but he’ll still run a really good race,” Corstens said.
“He’s probably at his best out to 1400 metres but you’ve got to kick off somewhere and he’s in fine fettle.”
A Queensland campaign is on the radar for Tried And Tired with his targets determined by how he performs early in his campaign.
The other Listed race at Caulfield on Saturday, The Anniversary Vase (1400m), will feature Marianne who has joined the stable of Corstens and his father Leon.
Marianne started her career with Mick Kent in Victoria, winning a Listed race and placing multiple times in Group company, before being moved to Peter and Paul Snowden in Sydney.
She was second to Noble Protector two starts ago at Flemington and third to the same mare in the Sunline Stakes at Moonee Valley last month.
“Peter and Paul decided she goes better the Melbourne way around and there’s a couple of races down here for her, so they asked if I’d just look after her for her next couple of runs,” he said.
Corstens said connections would then decide whether she heads to the breeding barn later this year.
