Trainer John Thompson believes a return to firmer footing will be the key to unlocking the best from Embrace The Wind when the progressive three-year-old lines up at Rosehill on Saturday.
Embrace The Wind has drawn the outside barrier in the Ranvet Handicap (1200m), but Thompson is unconcerned given the gelding’s customary racing pattern.
“He gets back, so the draw probably doesn’t matter as much for him,” Thompson said.
“I’d just love to see him back on top of the ground. He’s been running well on the heavy tracks, but when he gets back on top of the ground, I think you will see a better turn of foot.”
The lightly-raced sprinter has returned in good order this preparation.
He resumed with an eye-catching finish behind Lighthouse Lass at Rosehill in June, charging home from last on the turn to finish just over two lengths from the winner, before backing that up with a determined third behind Rolling Magic on heavy ground at the same track.
Thompson expects the gelding to continue improving as he gains fitness and experience.
“He’s progressive, and he’ll go through his grades. I think he’s got a bright future,” he said.
“He’s a sprinter. He will definitely push on (after Saturday), but where we head will depend on how he goes.”
Thompson is also looking ahead to the spring return of talented filly Screen Icon, who is set to launch a carnival campaign after another trial at Rosehill next Friday.
The two-year-old stakes performer is being aimed at the Silver Shadow Stakes (1100m), the opening race of Sydney’s four-leg Princess Series.
“She trialled well here the other day and beat the older horses,” Thompson said.
“She trials again on Friday week at Rosehill, and she will run first-up in the Silver Shadow.”
Screen Icon enjoyed a promising juvenile season, finishing runner-up in the Sweet Embrace Stakes after an unlucky campaign that also featured a narrow defeat in the Gimcrack Stakes and a luckless seventh in the Inglis Millennium.
She also narrowly missed a start in the Golden Slipper before ending her campaign with a competitive effort in the Percy Sykes Stakes, finishing less than three lengths from the winner despite reaching the end of her preparation.
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