Trainer John McArdle is pleased with the condition of two-year-old Power Trip ahead of his tilt at a return to black type winning form in the Group 3 Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Morphettville on Saturday week.
Power Trip will resume in the Group 3 Lightning Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday week. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Power Trip immediately stamped himself as a colt to follow upon debuting to racing for success in the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) in November, and was immediately put away with a view towards major two-year-old targets in autumn.
Resuming for a credible fourth in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview C&G (1000m) on January 26th, the Hard Spun gelding was unlucky to be blocked for a run when sixth in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Prelude C&G (1100m) on February 13th.
Given little chance of success in the featured Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) a fortnight later, Power Trip more than proved he is up to the class of the best in his age bracket when mustering a smart turn of foot to run a handy fourth behind Extreme Choice.
Having not been seen at the races since finishing sixth in the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) on March 12th, Power Trip completed a strong barrier trial at Cranbourne on Monday and is impressing McArdle in the lead-up to the Lightning Stakes.
“It’s good to see he didn’t have the ear muffs on and he didn’t wind up behind the barriers,” McArdle said.
“He settled even though he didn’t have cover and he didn’t try and run through the bridle.
“Chris just gave him a squeeze at around the hundred (metres) and I was quite happy with how he finished it off.
“He was like a tall lanky kid when he was running in those two-year-old races and running well and as he matures more he’ll get a little bit more strength.”
McArdle said that he will allow the rising three-year-old’s early spring performances determine the path he will take and ultimately what race will be targeted.
“If he’s a miler we’ll head towards the Caulfield Guineas but if we think he’s a sprinter he’ll head down the Coolmore Stakes path,” McArdle said.
While posting only one win from his five career starts so far, Power Trip has amassed close to $200,000 in prize money through his two-year-old campaign.
2016 Lightning Stakes nominations are due to be taken by Monday, July 25th.
