A wide barrier for consistent sprinter Vatican in the Listed WJ Adams Stakes has dented the confidence of trainer Byron Cozamanis.
Vatican is chasing back-to-back Listed wins over 1000m at Caulfield having won the Doveton Stakes early last month, but has to contend with barrier 12 of 13 in Saturday’s sprint.
Cozamanis is aiming Vatican at the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) next month and the gelding resumes from a let-up on Saturday.
Vatican winning the Doveton Stakes at Caulfield ridden by Michael Rodd and trained by Byron Cozamanis - (photo by Steven Dowden/Race Horse Photos Australia)
“He’s drawn a bad barrier which I’m not that happy about, but that’s the way it goes,” Cozamanis said.
“You would want a bit of luck from there but he does jump quickly out of the barriers. Probably the first 200 metres will tell how he’s going to go.”
Vatican spent two weeks in the paddock and another couple of weeks working on a water walker before returning to Cozamanis’ stables after his 1-3/4-length Doveton Stakes win on December 7.
Cozamanis says the five-year-old is going as well as ever and plans to progress to the Oakleigh Plate on February 22.
Oakleigh Plate-bound three-year-old Lord Of The Sky, winner of three of his four starts, has been installed $2.50 favourite in an opening market for Saturday’s race ahead of African Pulse ($4).
African Pulse hasn’t started since April last year but has an unblemished first-up record from five attempts.
Vatican is on the fourth line of betting at $12.
Racing Victoria stewards reported on Wednesday that stakes winner Adamantium, who failed in three spring starts, had undergone a wind operation since his last start in October.
