Premiership winning trainer Darren Weir expects short priced favourite Voodoo Lad to return to the winner’s stall when he lines up in the $80,000 Bruce Gadsden Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Voodoo Lad, above yellow cap running 2nd to Ruettiger at Flemington, will be hard to beat this week. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Voodoo Lad was narrowly beaten as an odds on favourite last start when second to Ruettiger in the Listed $150,000 All Victorian Sprint Series Final (1200m) at Flemington on July 9 but Weir said that the four year old will strip a much fitter racehorse this week after stepping up his work load.
“He was just a bit big in condition I think,” Weir told AAP.
“So hopefully he’s not this time.
“He’s a lot fitter and we’ve kept him up to the mark.”
“I think last start he loomed to win the race, but after the race he had a big blow and he looked a bit showy in the yard to me. He doesn’t look that way this time so hopefully he will run better.”
At his previous start Voodoo Lad proved too strong for Duke Of Brunswick in winning a 1200m Handicap at Moonee Valley on June 18.
Apprentice Michael Dee takes over from senior jockey Dean Yendall on Voodoo Lad who has drawn barrier nine in the eleven horse field.
Voodoo Lad is currently at the head of the market at $1.90 at Ladbrokes.com.au and Weir will also saddle up $15 chance Magnus Reign in the Bruce Gadsden Handicap.
Magnus Reign has drawn barrier five with 3kg claimer Ben Allen to ride and is coming off a last start sixth in the All Victorian Sprint Series Final.
Weir will have another busy day at Flemington on Saturday with twelve runners and he rates six year old Kenjorwood as a good winning chance in the $90,000 Henry Bolte Handicap (1800m).
“He is going great. He galloped really well during the week,” Weir said.
“He is going to go there in great shape and is probably one of the better chances for us I thought.”
Kenjorwood heads the market order for the Henry Bolte Handicap at $2.40 and heads to Flemington on the back of a fourth to Iggimacool in the Listed $150,000 VRC-CRV Winter Championship Series Final (1600m) at Flemington on July 9.
The six year old has drawn the inside barrier in the small six horse field and has Allen’s 3kg claim reducing his weight to 57.5kg.
Weir heads to Flemington with an unbeatable lead in the Melbourne trainer’s premiership with 103 winners for the 2015 – 2016 racing season and is certain to add to his tally on the weekend with several good chances on his way to winning his third metropolitan title.
