The postponement of Saturday’s Chautauqua Stakes, which many thought might have been a missed opportunity for Persian Spirit, was not necessarily viewed that way by his trainer Symon Wilde.
The son of Cable Bay had been backed into $2.40 after the skies opened in the lead-up to the 1300-metre Group 3 event, which was ultimately postponed due to lightning and heavy rain forcing a premature end to the meeting.
Persian Spirit has a previous win on a Heavy track and was considered a horse advantaged by Saturday’s downpour, but Wilde’s confidence wasn’t boosted as much as the punters’.
“I actually prefer him on dry ground because he’s more dynamic,” Wilde said.
“You’d never scratch him on a wet track, but I actually think he’s at his absolute best on a (Soft) 5 or a 6.”
The Chautauqua Stakes will now be run this Wednesday at Sandown, along with the 1600m benchmark 84 race that was also lost on Saturday.
Persian Spirit is again the favourite for the rescheduled edition at $3.20, with Tennessee Bound at $4.20 and Warnie on the third line at $5.
Sandown was rated a Heavy 8 on Monday morning, but sunny conditions are predicted for Melbourne on Monday afternoon and Tuesday with a chance of showers on Wednesday.
The rescheduling means two trips to Sandown from Warrnambool in five days for Persian Spirit, but Wilde indicated that the first trip did not appear to have affected him.
“We gave him a little bit of evens on the grass this morning at Warrnambool and he’s all set to go,” Wilde said on Monday morning.
“He was out in his paddock yesterday, he’ll go the beach tomorrow and he’s eating up well.
“It doesn’t look like it’s knocked him around at all.”
Wilde’s initial plan was to target the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) the Saturday after the Chautauqua Stakes, and he stated that while the new schedule isn’t ideal, he would likely give him his Group 1 chance if he performs well on Wednesday.
Persian Spirit resumed with a narrow second placing to Shadhavar in the Listed Regal Roller (1200m) at Caulfield on August 15.
“That was always the aim, to be third up in the Rupert Clarke,” Wilde confirmed.
“We planned to be first-up then three weeks then two weeks into the 1400 metres.
“It’s definitely not ideal but if he happened to win on Wednesday we’ll probably stick to that plan.”
With the Chautauqua Stakes rescheduled for Wednesday, consider placing your bets with your preferred online bookmakers.