Mr Individual heading to Sunshine Coast
Troy Corstens has no questions about Mr Individual’s ability and is hoping the colt can show it off at his second Queensland start in the Sunshine Coast Guineas.
Mr Individual will be chasing a first stakes win in Saturday’s 1600m-Group Three race at Caloundra after a forgettable introduction to Queensland racing at Eagle Farm on June 11.
The three-year-old finished 10th in the Group Two Queensland Guineas (1600m) and Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, gave the colt an educational barrier trial at the Gold Coast.
Mr Individual won Thursday’s trial in the hands of Glen Colless who will be aboard on race day.
“He trialled very nicely,” Corstens said.
“He got a severe prat early in the Queensland Guineas and he didn’t race generously after that. He was a bit of a handful for Ollie (Damien Oliver) and he wanted to hang badly around the corner.
“So we were keen to get him around a tight track that way of going, just to give him that bit more education.
“We’ve done that and it will top him off for next Saturday’s race.”
Mr Individual wore a one-eyed near-side blinker in the trial which he will also wear in the Guineas.
The colt is yet to win in three starts this campaign and hasn’t shown the ability Corstens knows he has.
“He’s a really nice horse but he’s a real work in progress,” Corstens said.
“He’s a similar horse to Awesome Rock. We definitely know he’s got the ability, but he’s just been a little bit wayward in his education.
“We’re working towards that but he’s not the kind of horse you can force change on.
“You’ve got to work with him but I think there’s definitely a stack of ability there and there always has been.
“They don’t lose that, it’s just harnessing it and getting the best back out of him.”