Tom Dabernig will be keeping a nervous eye on his smart three-year-old Aysar from the moment he arrives at Caulfield on Saturday.
Dabernig is hoping that Aysar’s coltish traits, which were on display last spring, are a seasonal occurrence and don’t affect the horse during the autumn.
“He was a colt in the spring and often they can play up then, but not in autumn,” Dabernig said.
Aysar has shown above-average ability in his six starts for the Lindsay Park training team of Dabernig and Ben Hayes.
Last spring, the son of Deep Field finished second in the Caulfield Guineas when he was beaten a long neck by Ole Kirk.
He also finished a narrow second to stablemate Crosshaven in the Carbine Club Stakes.
Aysar was a short-priced favourite for the Sandown Guineas but was scratched two hours before the feature after he played up in the race day stalls and hurt his off-hind leg.
Dabernig said they had adjusted Aysar’s gear, taking the blinkers off and putting a visor on him for the first time, hoping that might help him in a close finish.
“The narrow slit of the visor will give him a chance to see other horses coming,” Dabernig said.
“He either didn’t see the other horses coming, or he lost concentration due to his colty traits.”
Dabernig said all the indications were that Aysar would run a bold race in the Manfred Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
“He will run a big race but it might come down to his behaviour. He should sprint well fresh,” he said.
“He’s really bounced out of spring into autumn.
“He had a private jump out at Euroa and he won well with Damian Lane on board.”.
Aysar will head to the C S Hayes Stakes second up with the Group One Australian Guineas his main aim.
