John Sadler believes Charmed Harmony can return to his best
Trainer John Sadler believes Charmed Harmony can bounce back to his best in the Victoria Handicap if he happens to get track conditions to suit.
Charmed Harmony finished second to subsequent multiple Group One-winner Black Heart Bart in last year’s Group Three Victoria Handicap (1400m) and Sadler believes if the track isn’t too firm for the gelding, he can show up again on Saturday.
The seven-year-old has not won in almost a year but Sadler says he is showing the right signs on the training track.
“Going by his work, all Charmed Harmony needs is some give in the ground,” Sadler said.
“And if he gets that give, I think he’ll bounce back to his best form.”
Sadler said Charmed Harmony worked at Caulfield on Tuesday morning on a surface which would have been in the soft range.
“And he just relished it. He loved it,” Sadler said.
“But it’s (forecast) dry weather right through until Saturday.”
Caulfield was rated a Good (4) on Wednesday after acceptances, with Charmed Harmony drawing barrier three in a capacity field of 16 plus two emergencies.
“If it’s a Good (3) it’s against him,” Sadler said, adding if the track happened to get too firm, Charmed Harmony would not run.
Along with Charmed Harmony in the Victoria Handicap, Sadler also has a runner in the other feature race of the day with Observational chasing back-to-back stakes wins in the Group Three Easter Cup after his last-start Golden Mile win at Bendigo.
The Easter Cup has attracted a field of 16 plus three emergencies with Tom Melbourne the $4 WilliamHill.com.au favourite for the 2000m race.
Observational, who finished third in last year’s Easter Cup, is at $17.
