Weir happy with resuming Melbourne Cup winner
DARREN Weir has many chances in Saturday’s Group 1 Memsie Stakes, but 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance has been left alone by punters.
Prince Of Penzance is $51 at Sportsbet for the Caulfield feature, but Weir is happy with its progress since running second in the Lee Stakes in Adelaide last May.
“In reality he hasn’t been out of work since,” Weir said. “He’s a fit horse, but there’s improvement to come.
“It’s too long a break between the Cup and spring so that was a logical move.”
Weir used the Memsie Stakes as its fresh up run last year where it finished eighth and its 2015 racing program worked out perfectly. Weir believes Prince Of Penzance is working just as well as last season after it galloped at Ballarat on Tuesday.
“I just want to see him finish the race off well. From barrier 11 he’ll have to go back,” Weir said. “I’m very happy with him. I’d say he’s as well as he was last year. Last year everything in his preparation worked out perfectly.
“He’s got a long way to go but, touch wood, I’m hoping it can work out the same this preparation.”
Weir also has a three-pronged attack in the Memsie Stakes with Black Heart Bart, Palentino and Mahuta. Weir said $2.50 favourite Black Heart Bart was fit but would improve out of the run.
“Black Heart Bart, Palentino and Price Of Penzance are all being aimed at races down the track, so they’ve got improvement to come,” Weir said.
Mahuta was disappointing last start, but Weir is also expecting a much better effort this time in.
“We’ve changed things up a little with him and we’re looking for an improved run,” he said.