Trainer Gratz Vella has opted to target The Kosciuszko with Music Time in the upcoming spring carnival, choosing the feature race for country horses over the three-year-old classic, the Golden Rose.
Vella expressed the significant allure of The Kosciuszko for regional trainers, believing the Golden Slipper placegetter will be better suited to the 1200-metre distance 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.”
Should he succeed, Music Time would create history as the first three-year-old to claim the $2 million prize on October 17, the same day as The Everest.
He is currently listed at $8 on TAB Fixed Odds for The Kosciuszko, second favourite behind Torque To Be Sure who is at $6.
In early markets for the Group 1 $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26, Music Time is priced at $26, with Golden Slipper winner Guest House a $4.50 favourite.
“I just think the Golden Rose might be a bit early for him,” Vella revealed.
Music Time demonstrated his talent as a two-year-old, securing three victories from five starts, including a dominant front-running performance in the Group 3 Black Opal Stakes at Canberra.
Following his impressive Black Opal win, connections decided to pay the $150,000 late entry fee for the Golden Slipper. The decision proved fruitful as the gelding delivered an exceptional run to finish third, securing $425,000 in prize money.
Following the Slipper, Music Time was spelled, and Vella informed Racing And Sports that the gelding has returned to the stable “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.”
Music Time’s placings behind Guest House and Blue Diamond victor Streisand in the Golden Slipper have been validated by the subsequent performances of fourth-placed Campione D’Italia and seventh-finishing Fireball.
Campione D’Italia went on to win the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes, while Fireball finished third in the same race. The two colts later met in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes, where Fireball secured a narrow victory over Campione D’Italia.
“The form around Music Time is super,” Vella enthused. “It’s exciting to think what is ahead for him next season.”
Punters looking to get involved in the spring racing action can explore the latest Australian betting sites for The Kosciuszko.
