There is a sense of unfinished business for connections of recently gelded Accession as he prepares to resume in the $1 million Inglis Sprint at Warwick Farm.
At the corresponding meeting 12 months ago, Accession started favourite for the $2 million Inglis Millennium and appeared to have the race in the bag when he swept to the front in the straight.
But he was mowed down in the final bounds by Castelvecchio, who has since collected a Group One win and a Cox Plate second to stamp himself as one of the most promising horses in training.
Accession returns to Warwick Farm on Saturday chasing another lucrative pay day and Star Thoroughbreds’ syndicator Denise Martin is hoping for redemption.
“On this day last year he was unfortunate in the $2 million two-year-old race to encounter Castelvecchio. He shot to the lead and just got run down very late,” Martin said.
“Hopefully this year, back to the scene of the event, he can be really competitive.”
Twice Group placed as a juvenile, Accession had mixed results in three spring starts, culminating in an indifferent performance in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.
He has since been gelded, a decision Martin hopes can help him deliver on the promise he showed as a two-year-old.
“He was quite a bulky colt and he didn’t always apply himself to the best of his ability,” Martin said.
“I think we’ll know where we’re at fairly quickly this preparation and I’m sure the gelding procedure will have helped him.
“He did a great job as a two-year-old so hopefully he can continue on now in his three-year-old year.”
Accession has form on rain-affected ground and was narrowly beaten in the Ken Russell Memorial at his only attempt on a heavy track.
He was $10 with TAB fixed odds on Thursday which had his Chris Waller-trained stablemate True Detective the $3.60 favourite.
Waller has scratched Star Thoroughbreds’ Kubrick from the Inglis Sprint after he drew barrier 15 and the colt will instead contest the Group Three Eskimo Prince Stakes earlier on the card.
The winner of the inaugural Bondi Stakes in the spring, Kubrick has shown positive signs around the stable and Martin hopes he can be a force in some of the better autumn races.
“As can happen with many of the colts as they mature, their attitude can improve significantly,” Martin said.
“He has returned with a terrific attitude so we’re hopeful it’s the beginning of a great preparation.”
Kubrick’s seven rivals include emerging Godolphin three-year-old Pandemic and Golden Slipper winner Kiamichi.
