AAMI Vase winner Rekindled Interest will not race at the Sydney autumn carnival.
The Redoute’s Choice three year old, trained by Jim Conlan, would have targeted the Sydney three year old classics, including the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and the Group 1 AJC Australian Derby (2400m).
Owner Jonathan Munz’s racing manager Rod Douglas says that Rekindled Interest had problems after the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), in which he started favourite but finished 5th.
“He had some issues after the Derby, so it was decided to give him extra time off,” Douglas said.
“It’s possible that he will have a light Brisbane campaign, but the main goal is the Melbourne spring.”
He is one of a number of runners from the Victoria Derby who will not run in the AJC Derby.
Last week, Just Horse Racing was the first to bring you the story of winner Lion Tamer’s battle for fitness. Click here to read more.
While he will not run in the AJC Derby, it is possible that he will still run in Sydney, perhaps in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
It is also unlikely that the sixth placed Almindoro will run in the AJC Derby.
Meanwhile, last year’s Launceston Cup winner Larry’s Never Late is progressing well ahead of a light autumn campaign.
Larry’s Never Late won first up at the end of the Melbourne spring carnival, with a win in the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1500m).
Conlan, Munz and Douglas have mapped out an ambitious, but light, campaign for the son of Pentire.
“The aim is the Sydney Cup (3200m),” Douglas said.
“He will kick off again in three weeks time over 2000m at Flemington.”
“The plan is to have a three run prep into the Sydney Cup.”
It is believed that one of Larry’s Never Late’s three runs will be the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 2.
The Sydney Cup will be the first time that Larry’s Never Late will be tested at 3200m, with a successful run paving the way for a Melbourne Cup run in November.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
