Troy Corstens is confident Mr Individual is a winning chance in the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m), should the horse bring the form displayed in work to the race track on Saturday.
Mr Individual will contest Saturday’s Sunshine Coast Guineas fourth-up. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos
Mr Individual has displayed plenty of ability in races since his competitive debut in June last year, but has also shown a clear level of inconsistency and focus as he has continued to learn his craft.
Having won a Gold Coast barrier trial last week following a hapless performance for tenth in the Group 2 Queensland Guineas on Stradbroke Handicap Day, Corstens told Racing Ahead he believes the conditions of the 2016 Sunshine Coast Guineas will prove ideal for the Starspangledbanner colt and it will be up to the horse to bring his form to the track this weekend.
“In between we’ve given him a trial on the Gold Coast just to give him a little bit more experience at that way of going,” Corstens said.
“He won the trial and Glen Colless rode him, so I think there’s a bit of an advantage there.
“I think it would have been a bit of a different story in the Queensland Guineas had we not copped such a squeeze at the start, and had he got his own way and gone forward.
“He’s got a ton of ability but I still think he’s a work in progress, I don’t think he’s a horrible horse in any way I just think he’s immature and still learning.
“We’d like to be forward. Obviously it probably doesn’t do us too many favours being drawn in that close because we’re in the gates so long.
“I think the mile is right up his alley and it’s the right distance for him.
“I’m as confident as you can be with a horse going in with so many convictions. If he goes there and did everything right, jumped cleanly I’d be very confident.”
Mr Individual won a Ballarat minor over 1100m on debut, but failed to make anything of an impact when seventh in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) in his second career start.
Returning to winning form in the Ploytrack BM64 (1200m) on September 16th, Mr Individual blew an ideal run in transit when arriving at the final straight to finish sixth in the Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m), but returned to the paddock after winning the Movenpick Racedayicecream BM78 (1600m) on October 14th.
Resuming this time for eleventh in the Group 2 Euclase Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 7th, the gelding out of She’s Alluring placed fourth in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap (1400m) on May 28th, in what was his only other start prior to the Queensland Guineas.
Ladbrokes Australia currently rates Mr Individual at 2016 Sunshine Coast Guineas odds of $9.50.
