Music Time set for Kosciuszko path in spring
Trainer Gratz Vella has confirmed that Music Time will be pointed towards The Kosciuszko during the Sydney spring carnival, foregoing the Group 1 Golden Rose for three-year-olds.
Vella highlighted the irresistible appeal of The Kosciuszko for country trainers and indicated that the Golden Slipper placegetter might be better suited to the 1200-metre trip at Royal Randwick.
"The Kosciuszko is a $2 million race for country horses and that is hard for a battling bush trainer like me to ignore,'' Vella told Racing And Sports. "So, we are trying to plan for him to get to The Kosciuszko. We will see how the horse is over the next month and might look at a three-year-old lead-up race."
Music Time is slated to attempt to become the first three-year-old to win the $2 million The Kosciuszko, which is run on October 17, the same day as The Everest.
He currently sits as the second elect with TAB Fixed Odds for The Kosciuszko at $8, trailing Torque To Be Sure at $6.
In the early betting for the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26, Music Time is listed at $26, with Golden Slipper victor Guest House the $4.50 favourite.
"I just think the Golden Rose might be a bit early for him,'' Vella revealed.
During his juvenile season, Music Time claimed victory in three of his five starts, notably his impressive all-the-way win in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra on his home track.
Following Music Time's strong performance in the Black Opal, connections made the decision to pay the $150,000 late entry fee for the Golden Slipper. The gelding responded with a superb run to finish third, earning $425,000 for his efforts.
After the Slipper, Music Time was turned out for a spell, and Vella reported to Racing And Sports that the gelding has returned to the stables "bigger and stronger".
"He's been back in a month, he's grown and put on some weight which is what you would expect,'' Vella said. "He's doing everything right."
The form surrounding Music Time's Golden Slipper run, where he finished behind Guest House and Streisand, has been significantly boosted by the performances of subsequent runners, including fourth-placed Campione D'Italia and Fireball (seventh).
Campione D'Italia subsequently won the Group 1 ATC Sires' Produce Stakes, with Fireball running third. The two colts then faced off in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, where Fireball managed to defeat Campione D'Italia by a narrow margin.
"The form around Music Time is super,'' Vella enthused. "It's exciting to think what is ahead for him next season."
Get the latest racing odds for The Kosciuszko at leading online bookmakers.
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