Jason Warren believes Bel Sprinter still has what it takes to win another Group One and the trainer has the Oakleigh Plate in his sights.
The winner of the 2013 Galaxy, Bel Sprinter’s career has been one of ups and downs, mainly because of his barrier habits.
The seven-year-old gets stirred up when he is in the gates and Warren has tried many so-called remedies and abandoned them all, including a barrier blanket.
Despite his manners in the stalls, Bel Sprinter has won more than $1 million and as well as his Galaxy win, he has been placed at the highest level including his TJ Smith Stakes third behind Black Caviar.
Bel Sprinter’s has a first-up record of six wins from eight starts and Warren will rely on that statistic for the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) on February 28.
The gelding furthered his preparation for the Group One sprint with a soft barrier trial behind Lankan Rupee at Cranbourne last week.
Warren is trying to replicate a spring program which delivered a first-up win for Bel Sprinter in the Caulfield Sprint when he finished in a dead heat with Miracles Of Life over the Oakleigh Plate course.
Bel Sprinter has run in two Oakleigh Plates, finishing sixth in 2012 and ninth last year.
“He’ll be trained right up for the Oakleigh Plate first-up,” Warren said.
“From there we’ll decide whether we stay at Group One level or drop back a couple of pegs.”
Bel Sprinter’s stablemate, the undefeated Baron Archer, is likely to be aimed towards the Sydney carnival.
Baron Archer has not raced since completing a hat-trick of wins at Caulfield in July.
“We’ll have to start him off in restricted races to get his rating up and then look to get him in the better races when he’s out to his right trip,” Warren said.