Talented four-year-old Bel Sprinter will take on star three-year-old colt Sepoy in the Oakleigh Plate in three weeks following his impressive first-up win at Caulfield.
Trainer Jason Warren confirmed the plan after Bel Sprinter ($2.70 fav) came from second last of the 10 runners under Ben Melham in Saturday’s Listed United Arab Emirates Stakes (1000m) and quickly rounded up his rivals.
After tracking Kulgrinda ($4) in the run he went on to beat that mare by a length with Faster Son ($18), having his first run for the Mick Price stable, two lengths away third.
“We’re better placed now that we’ve had this run. I wouldn’t have liked to have taken him (Sepoy) on first up fresh,” Warren said.
“But with that run under his belt he is going to be a lot better for it and we are going to stick to plan A which is the Oakleigh Plate.
“He looked a little bit burly in the (mounting) yard and he’ll be better for the run.
“He’s best placed with three weeks between runs so he’s right in the Oakleigh Plate.”
Racing Victoria’s handicapper of sprints Neil Jennings said Bel Sprinter would get in with 54kg, 2kg above the limit weight and 4kg less than the topweight Sepoy (58kg).
Warren said the $750,000 prizemoney of the weight-for-age Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 18 had been tempting.
But the $400,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield a week later was the preferred option to try to win his first Group One race.
The gelding, by Black Caviar’s sire Bel Esprit, will then go to the $1 million Newmarket Hcp (1200m) at Flemington on March 10.
AAP TURF
