News

Rostova hints at fruitful spring

4th Aug 2009

Herald Sun - Matt Stewart - Tuesday, 4 August 2009

IT WAS more a case of who wasn't there rather than who was at yesterday's traditionally star-studded Cranbourne trials.

Lee Freedman scratched his entire team, including topliners Come Hither, Essaouira, Wilander, Miss Scarlatti and Estee.

Freedman is instead expected to trial the quintet tomorrow at Mornington.

Peter Moody's star newcomers Wanted and Tickets were also scratched because of the heavy track.

El Segundo made an appearance at the trials but dozed in his box for an hour or so before being put back on the float and transported back to Caulfield.

He will trial at 800m at Caulfield this morning, a hitout that will determine if the 2007 Cox Plate winner runs first-up in the Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington on Saturday.

The two biggest names to trial - Rostova and Mic Mac - both won heats, prompting predictions of fruitful springs from their trainers Steve Richards and Greg Eurell.

Trainer Colin Little yesterday opted to give El Segundo a day out rather then test his recovering fetlock joint on the wet track.

"We'd get a far better surface at home so I'm happy to wait," Little said, adding today's jump-out would determine if the eight-year-old resumes on Saturday or waits another week.

"We just want to see how he comes through the trial," Little said. "He might resume Saturday but we're not committed."

Little was confident El Segundo could return to the big league.

"He doesn't act like an eight-year-old. He's sound and enthusiastic," he said. "I think he'll be all right."

Richards was impressed with Rostova's 800m trial win.

"She went nicely, just nice," he said.

Rostova, beaten favourite in last summer's Blue Diamond Stakes, will resume in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday week.

Eurell, who confirmed Apache Cat had suffered a stone bruise and would have a delayed start to his campaign, will run Mic Mac and stable newcomer Majestical in the Aurie's Star.

Damien Oliver did not release the brakes on Mic Mac in his trial, winning narrowly in moderate time (50.44sec). "He did all you'd want. Spot on, very happy with him," Oliver said.

Eurell said he was confident Mic Mac could provide him with his second big gun in the feature races this spring, adding Apache Cat's setback meant a clash between the pair was unlikely.

"It's a big step he has to take but I think he can do it," Eurell said.