Rekindled Interest will take the first step on a proven Tatts Cox Plate path when he returns from a lengthy spell in Saturday's $150,000 Group 3 Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington.
Photo by Racing and Sports
El Segundo launched his successful Cox Plate campaign in the 1200-metre Aurie's Star in 2007 and with Conlan eyeing off the $3 million weight-for-age championship for Rekindled Interest, the Cranbourne trainer is happy to follow in his footsteps.
“It's a nice spot to be kicking off,” he said. “I was thinking of trialling on Monday, but I think he'll get a lot more out of a race up the straight than what he will out of a trial.”
Rekindled Interest hasn't been to the races since following his Group 2 AAMI Vase (2040m) win at Moonee Valley with a respectable fifth behind runaway winner Lion Tamer in the AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m).
He had a light preparation during autumn, which followed minor knee surgery, but didn't make it to the races, which is why Conlan anticipates he won't be forward enough to match it with top short-course performers including Perturbo, Offenders, Miss Gai Flyer and Temple Of Boom first-up.
“He's coming off a 10-month spell, he hasn't had a trial or anything, so while he's in good order I really think he'll need the run,” Conlan said.
“He's quite a talented horse and I expect him to have a good spring, but I think he's well and truly underdone for this race.”
Rekindled Interest, who will carry the 53kg limit weight and be ridden by Dwayne Dunn, is not the only middle-distance/staying type likely to benefit from the Aurie's Star.
The Pat Carey-trained Cedarberg (58kg), a last-start winner of the Group 1 The BMW (2400m), also resumes along with the Lee and Shannon Hope-trained Folding Gear (53kg), a winner of the Group 2 Autumn Classic (1800m) for three-year-olds in February.
Robert Hickmott will start four ex-European stayers; 2009 Irish St Leger winner Alandi (60kg), last year's Irish Derby winner Midas Touch (59kg), 2010 Epsom Derby runner-up At First Sight (56kg) and progressive Montjeu entire Green Moon (53kg).
Rekindled Interest was among the nominations for both the Tatts Cox Plate and BMW Caulfield Cup, which closed on Monday, and while Conlan is keeping his options open he suggested the former is the race he'd prefer to target.
“It'd be great if I could have him ready for the Cox Plate,” he said. “He's had a win over 2000 metres at Stakes level at Moonee Valley and that's what I would be aiming towards, but we'll just see how he progresses after this race.”
The Aurie's Star Handicap is the headline act of an eight-race Flemington card that also features three heats of the Asian Young Guns series for apprentice riders.
