Trainer Jason Attard is confident that stable star Sons Of John will strip fitter for his first-up run in Saturday’s Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick.
Sons Of John finished a close second to Winx in last year’s Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (pictured) most notably. Photo: Steve Hart
Sons Of John has posted a commendable six race wins and as many minors through twenty-one career starts so far, but undoubtedly found career-best form to date through last year’s edition of the Spring Carnival.
Revealing that the horse was unable to reach peak fitness through two starts in late autumn, Attard has been pleased with the way that Sons Of John has taken to a freshen-up and believes he will lay a typically good account for himself in the Tramway Stakes first-up.
“We were just chasing our tails,” Attard told AAP.
“He stood on the walker and stood here at home.
“That way I could keep an eye on what he was getting fed and how much weight he was putting on.”
“We’re not expecting any miracles or for him to go out and smash them first up.
“If he does we’ll take it, but seeing him in the first four or five in that field would be awesome.”
Sons Of John produced a number of smart efforts through his 2015 autumn preparation, and capped the campaign with an impressive and maiden black type win in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m).
Given little chance of success in the Group 2 Theo Marks Stakes (1300m) upon resuming in spring, the Oratorio gelding produced a smart turn of foot to finish a close second behind champion mare Winx.
“We won’t forget that one in a hurry,” Attard said.
Having progressed to an impressive third in the featured Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), Sons Of John travelled to Victoria but failed to make anything of an impressive when eighth in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) and thirteenth in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m).
Clearly requiring a run when resuming this year for eleventh in his defence of the Hawkesbury Cup, Sons Of John has not been seen at the races since finishing fifth in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) on May 13th.
Sons Of John is expected to be named in a capacity 2016 Tramway Stakes field this afternoon.
