Imperial Lad will chase another rich pay day when he heads to Sandown for the Victorian Owners and Breeders Race Day.
The John Moloney-trained galloper won the $250,000 VOBIS Gold Mile (1600m) at the corresponding meeting at Caulfield 12 months ago but will line up in the VOBIS Gold Sprint (1200m) on Saturday.
Moloney reasoned the tough 1200m course on Saturday was an easier option than trying to repeat his victory of a year ago over a testing 1600m at Sandown.
“I don’t like him at the mile at Sandown, but if it was around Caulfield or Moonee Valley, he would be OK,” Moloney said.
“Trying to do it at Sandown with the uphill run, I don’t like my chances, but I’m happy to do so over the 1200 metres.”
Imperial Lad is coming off a last start victory over 1400m at Bendigo where after the claim for Sheridan Clarke he scored with 51kg.
On Saturday, in a non-claiming race, he jumps to equal topweight of 60kg.
That aside, Moloney said Imperial Lad had freshened up well for Saturday’s contest and is looking to repeat the feat of the Nick Ryan-trained Regardsmaree.
That gelding was beaten over 1400m at Bendigo before returning to the shorter course to take out the VOBIS Gold Sprint last year.
“He’s like a pretty penny, he just keeps turning up,” Moloney said of Imperial Lad.
“He’s come through the race well and he’s coming back from the 1400 metres to the 1200 metres, but Regardsmaree did it last year.
“I don’t know if I’m that good, but we’ll give it a try, follow the same pattern and see if we can do the same thing.
“He’s a happy horse. You don’t have to do anything with him. You can’t make him any faster and you just look after him and that’s all he seems to need.”
Moloney likes the idea of the VOBIS races, especially as there is no acceptance fee to run in the race apart from a fee paid by the owner or breeder as a younger horse.
“To run in a $250,000 race, it cost you $1500 or $1600 to run, but this has already been paid for and you don’t have to pay any extras to go in it,” Moloney said.
“So, they are restricted races for Victorian-bred horse and VOBIS horses but if you can get amongst the money, it’s happy days.”