Many thought Saturday’s Chautauqua Stakes postponement might have been a missed opportunity for Persian Spirit, but the gelding’s trainer Symon Wilde wasn’t necessarily one of them.
The son of Cable Bay was backed into $2.40 after the sky opened in the lead-up to the 1300-metre Group 3, which was ultimately postponed after lightning and heavy rain forced a premature end to the meeting.
Persian Spirit won his only start on a Heavy track and he was considered a horse advantaged by Saturday’s downpour, but Wilde’s confidence was not boosted as much as punters.
“I actually prefer him on dry ground because he’s more dynamic,” Wilde said.
“You’d never scratch him on a wet track, but I actually think he’s at his absolute best on a (Soft) 5 or a 6.”
The Chautauqua Stakes will now be run this Wednesday at Sandown, along with the 1600m benchmark 84 that was also lost on Saturday.
Persian Spirit is again favourite for the rescheduled edition, but at $3.20 with Tennessee Bound at $4.20 and Warnie on the $5 third line.
Sandown was rated a Heavy 8 on Monday morning, but sunny conditions are predicted for Melbourne on Monday afternoon and Tuesday with a chance of showers on Wednesday.
The race being rescheduled means two trips to Sandown from Warrnambool in five days for Persian Spirit, but Wilde said the first trip did not appear to have affected him.
“We gave him a little bit of evens on the grass this morning at Warrnambool and he’s all set to go,” Wilde said on Monday morning.
“He was out in his paddock yesterday, he’ll go the beach tomorrow and he’s eating up well.
“It doesn’t look like it’s knocked him around at all.”
Wilde’s initial plan was to head to Saturday week’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) after the Chautauqua Stakes and he said while the new schedule was not ideal, he would likely give him his Group 1 opportunity if he performs well on Wednesday.
Persian Spirit resumed with a narrow second placing to Shadhavar in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15.
“That was always the aim, to be third up in the Rupert Clarke,” Wilde said.
“We planned to be first-up then three weeks then two weeks into the 1400 metres.
“It’s definitely not ideal but if he happened to win on Wednesday we’ll probably stick to that plan.”
