Trainer Darren Weir says Caulfield winner Cliff’s Edge has undergone an attitude change resulting in a three-year-old that has been hard to get fit.
Weir said the secret for Cliff’s Edge win in Saturday’s Mirabel Foundation Handicap was his ability to back-up from a midfield finish at Flemington last week.
Ridden by John Allen, Cliff’s Edge ($4.40) followed the leader before gaining a split in the straight to record a three-quarter length win from Sunquest ($8.50) with Pres De Toi ($61) a short-neck away third.
Weir said Cliff’s Edge attitude has changed from a precocious two-year-old to a relaxed three-year-old.
“This preparation he’s probably looked a bit disappointing on face value but he’s changed in his attitude and become very casual and very hard to get fit,” Weir said.
“He had a really good gallop last week but just blew out in the last 200 metres.
“The key to the race today was backing him up because he won’t do anything at home.”
Weir doubts Cliff’s Edge is up to the top range of three-year-olds.
For that reason he is likely to aim Cliff’s Edge at second-tier races over the spring, the 2017 Carbine Club Stakes and Sandown Guineas 2017.
Weir won both races with Mahuta in 2015.
“He’s not unlike Mahuta with a similar sort of racing style, very tough and tries hard,” Weir said.
