Trainer Nick Ryan has no reservations in tackling a stakes race with Sircconi a week after the gelding placed at his first attempt at a middle distance.
Sircconi stepped up to 2000m at Caulfield, finishing second to Mirimar, and drops to 1600m on Saturday when he runs in the Listed VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final at Flemington.
Jockey Daniel Stackhouse, who leads the Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership, again has the ride after partnering Sircconi last week.
A trip to the beach on Sunday morning convinced Ryan that Sircconi had bounced out of his Caulfield placing and was right to take up the challenge on Saturday.
“He was very brave the other day at his first try at the trip, but he did have a bit in his favour,” Ryan said.
“He got a nice run in front, the rail was out 12 metres and the track was favouring on-pace runners, but in saying that, he was terrific.”
Prior to last week’s outing the longest journey Sircconi had contested was 1600m, which included a second placing in the Swan Hill Cup two starts back.
Ryan explained Sircconi’s previous trainer Peter Morgan had wanted to try the gelding over a middle distance, but minor niggles had stopped him.
“He has never been sound enough to go deep enough into a prep to get up to that distance,” Ryan said.
“But he’s probably going the best he has gone, certainly with me it is.
“He’s a happy horse at the moment, very sound, and has not got too many issues at the moment, touch wood.”
Having already had the trip to the beach, Ryan said Sircconi would have a quiet time for the remainder of the week including being led off the stable pony and undertaking swimming exercise.
He said the horse was fit and raring to go.
“They say coming back in trip, being rock hard fit and racing on speed, it’s a good recipe,” Ryan said.
“Hopefully they’re right.”
The 1600m race is one of three Listed contests on the program.
The Taj Rossi Series Final (1600m) for two-year-olds and the Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) will also be run on Saturday.
