Passing Shot
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Stephen McKee knows there's an element of the "taking coals to Newcastle" with Passing Shot's pending sprint campaign in Melbourne but he believes the stallion prospect has the talent to succeed.
Australian sprinters are regarded as the best in the world so taking them on at home is never easy for a New Zealand sprinter.
However, McKee has confidence that five-year-old entire Passing Shot can measure up to a multitude of opportunities that will present themselves in the coming weeks in Melbourne.
"This race is more to get a line on him," McKee said of Passing Shot's first-up assignment in Saturday's Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
"We know it's never easy taking on the Aussie sprinters at their own game but he deserves his shot. This is a nice race to kick him off in.
"Over 1000m, he should be able to run it pretty hard all the way. He's coming out of winter and hasn't had a trial so that should suit. It's a pacy sort of field, I guess because it suits everyone to kick off over 1000m."
A winner of nine of his 24 starts, including the Gr.3 Mr Tiz Trophy at Ellerslie, Passing Shot hasn't raced since his Listed double of the Lightning Stakes at Trentham and NZB Sprint at Hastings in March and April.
"He flew to Melbourne on Wednesday night and settled well into his stabling with Russell Cameron at Flemington," McKee said.
"He had a canter this morning and he seems to have taken it all in his stride. Hopefully he can run well on Saturday and if his form is good, there's a race every week for him."
Most Australian bookmakers have Passing Shot at $14 in markets headed by Gr.2 Rubiton Stakes winner and Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate-placed Heatherly at $3.50. - NZ Racing Desk
Australian sprinters are regarded as the best in the world so taking them on at home is never easy for a New Zealand sprinter.
However, McKee has confidence that five-year-old entire Passing Shot can measure up to a multitude of opportunities that will present themselves in the coming weeks in Melbourne.
"This race is more to get a line on him," McKee said of Passing Shot's first-up assignment in Saturday's Listed Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
"We know it's never easy taking on the Aussie sprinters at their own game but he deserves his shot. This is a nice race to kick him off in.
"Over 1000m, he should be able to run it pretty hard all the way. He's coming out of winter and hasn't had a trial so that should suit. It's a pacy sort of field, I guess because it suits everyone to kick off over 1000m."
A winner of nine of his 24 starts, including the Gr.3 Mr Tiz Trophy at Ellerslie, Passing Shot hasn't raced since his Listed double of the Lightning Stakes at Trentham and NZB Sprint at Hastings in March and April.
"He flew to Melbourne on Wednesday night and settled well into his stabling with Russell Cameron at Flemington," McKee said.
"He had a canter this morning and he seems to have taken it all in his stride. Hopefully he can run well on Saturday and if his form is good, there's a race every week for him."
Most Australian bookmakers have Passing Shot at $14 in markets headed by Gr.2 Rubiton Stakes winner and Gr.1 Oakleigh Plate-placed Heatherly at $3.50. - NZ Racing Desk
