Darren Weir will rely on up-and-coming stayer Tall Ship as the stable’s flag bearer over the summer.
The Melbourne Cup-winning trainer has the OTI Racing-owned stayer heading towards the Werribee Cup on December 13 and the Bagot Handicap at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
Tall Ship shot to prominence during the autumn, stringing together three consecutive country Cups, culminating in the Warrnambool Cup in May.
The gelding was a last-start second to Who Shot Thebarman in the Zipping Classic at Sandown on November 14 and Weir is unfazed that Tall Ship will not have raced for a month going into the Werribee Cup.
“It’s a month between runs but that doesn’t matter if you know you’re going there,” Weir said.
“If you’re relying on a race in between and you don’t get that run, then it’s a different story.
“He’ll be in great shape for the Werribee Cup.”
With Weir having a confirmed plan for Tall Ship he will send emerging stayer Master Zephyr for a spell.
The imported stayer made it back-to-back wins with an impressive display at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Master Zephyr came to Australia under the care of Antoine de Watrigant and was the work partner and travelling companion for Mackinnon Stakes winner Gailo Chop.
Since being transferred to Weir’s Warrnambool beach base, Master Zephyr has thrived, putting on condition which was evident in his explosive win on Saturday.
Weir is loath to send in-form horses to the paddock but will make an exception with Master Zephyr who is still a three-year-old in European time.
“We might give him a month off and head to something like a Warrnambool Cup,” Weir said.
“He’s still only a baby.
“It could be a nice race for a young horse like him to head towards.”
