Which Sartorial Splendor will turn up to race at Caulfield, Tom Sadler is not sure.
Sartorial Splendor is set to run in the Listed W J Adams Stakes (1000m) on Wednesday coming off two rather moderate performances this campaign.
Sadler, currently the assistant trainer to his father John while awaiting the rubber stamp to join him in a training partnership, said Sartorial Splendor would race without blinkers on Wednesday.
Sartorial Splendor has been particularly difficult to follow throughout his career.
On his day he has looked very promising, as he showed last campaign with wins at Mornington, Flemington and Caulfield, but this campaign he has finished a first-up 11th down the straight at Flemington and then tenth in the Listed Christmas Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on Boxing Day.
“He’s getting a little older and looking after himself,” Sadler said.
“He did that at Flemington. He went 500 metres, and then at Caulfield we put the blinkers on to get a proper run out of him and he did put in a bit better.
“So, third-up, fitness wise, he should be right.
“We’ve taken the blinkers off and we’re going back to 1000 metres
“We’re certainly happy with him, but he is a bit of a trickster as well.”
Sadler and his father are not using the new facilities at Pakenham, where they have been based for almost two months, as an excuse for Sartorial Splendor’s recent form.
“He has settled into Pakenham, the different tracks and different work, and is pretty cruisy to deal with,” Sadler said.
“We’ll only know if we’ve figured him out after he runs on Wednesday.
“He’s well in himself, he trialled the other day and galloped well on the course proper on Saturday.”
