News

Vision and Power in blinding trial

28th Jul 2009

The Daily Telegraph - Christian Nicolussi - Wednesday, 29 July 2009

SPRING racing was in the air at Warwick Farm yesterday as Cox Plate hopeful Vision And Power turned heads with a blinding trial.

In the end, Vision and Power's little-known stablemate Laravissante won the trial over 810m, but the big bay gelding who finished runner-up is trainer Joe Pride's vision for the spring.

Vision And Power - raced by fruit and veg king Nick Moraitis, who also owned superstar Might And Power in the 1980s - was the accidental star of the Sydney autumn after he won the George Ryder and Doncaster Mile.

Yesterday, Vision And Power took his first steps towards the Cox Plate just after 8.45am at the western Sydney track with evergreen hoop Jimmy Cassidy in the saddle.

Cassidy did not ask too much of the headline horse. But the fact The Pumper had made the trek across town for his only ride of the morning said plenty.

Trainer Pride was glad the initial hitout was behind him and the rising seven-year-old was in fine order.

"I was happy today, I was happy when the horse walked back into these stables eight weeks ago," Pride said.

"It's a dream to have a horse like this in your camp, so it's important every little thing goes to plan. Vision And Power is a lot stronger and will only improve. I still don't think we got to the bottom of him last time in, and it's always important to send them out when they're on top.

"He hit the line with purpose today and that was his trademark last time in. He has always been strong at the finish, and that is exactly what he was today."

Vision And Power will trial again before he resumes in the Group Two Warwick Stakes (1400m) on August 22.

The Cox Plate is the ultimate aim, the weight-for-age championship Cassidy and Moraitis won in 1998 with Might And Power, who a year earlier had taken out the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup double.

Cassidy is confident Vision And Power has what it takes to be competitive in the spring.

"He just went through the gears this morning and, while you don't know how they've come back until race day, at this stage he's doing everything right," Cassidy said.

"I knew at the start of the spring with Might And Power that in the Cox Plate whoever wanted to beat him would have to run record time.

"If Vision And Power can reproduce what he did in the autumn he will be more than competitive in the Cox Plate, there's no doubt.