Sound Proposition
Trish Dunell
A return to his favourite racecourse and preferable conditions underfoot are expected to see Sound Proposition bounce back to form at Ellerslie on Boxing Day.
The sparingly-raced five-year-old will tackle the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Monday and trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott are confident he can prove his last-placing at his most recent outing was an aberration.
"I think everyone was a little disappointed in the run at Tauranga last start," Scott said.
"He finished well down the track that day, but that was his first attempt on wet ground and we had to find out whether he handled it or not. Quite evidently he didn't. We also rode him a little closer to the speed than usual that day.
"His bodyweight and his general health wasn't as good as it is now and he's always been a horse that has never come up in the spring.
"With the six or seven weeks he has had between runs, it has really been an opportunity to put a bit of weight on him and he'll be a far healthier horse heading into Monday."
Ellerslie has proved a happy hunting ground for Sound Proposition with three of his four career victories, including the Gr.1 Easter Stakes, coming at Auckland's premier racecourse.
"His record at the track is impeccable," Scott said. "He never runs a bad race there. He loves the track and knows it so well."
Rated a $12 chance with TAB bookmakers, Sound Proposition is expected to revert to his usual get-back racing pattern.
"We're drawn out a wee bit [barrier 13] and being a bit bigger field this year there should be more pressure on to find your spot. Hopefully they run along at a genuine speed which will give us an opportunity to round them up from the back of the field," Scott said. – NZ Racing Desk.
The sparingly-raced five-year-old will tackle the Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) on Monday and trainers Lance O'Sullivan and Andrew Scott are confident he can prove his last-placing at his most recent outing was an aberration.
"I think everyone was a little disappointed in the run at Tauranga last start," Scott said.
"He finished well down the track that day, but that was his first attempt on wet ground and we had to find out whether he handled it or not. Quite evidently he didn't. We also rode him a little closer to the speed than usual that day.
"His bodyweight and his general health wasn't as good as it is now and he's always been a horse that has never come up in the spring.
"With the six or seven weeks he has had between runs, it has really been an opportunity to put a bit of weight on him and he'll be a far healthier horse heading into Monday."
Ellerslie has proved a happy hunting ground for Sound Proposition with three of his four career victories, including the Gr.1 Easter Stakes, coming at Auckland's premier racecourse.
"His record at the track is impeccable," Scott said. "He never runs a bad race there. He loves the track and knows it so well."
Rated a $12 chance with TAB bookmakers, Sound Proposition is expected to revert to his usual get-back racing pattern.
"We're drawn out a wee bit [barrier 13] and being a bit bigger field this year there should be more pressure on to find your spot. Hopefully they run along at a genuine speed which will give us an opportunity to round them up from the back of the field," Scott said. – NZ Racing Desk.
