Michael Manley From: Herald Sun July 07, 2012
NOT surprisingly Nigel Blackiston believes Menados, being by legendary sire of stayers Zabeel, will be at his best in the future when he is tried as a stayer.
For the moment though Blackiston is trying to temper Menados' staying potential as he runs over 1600m in the $150,000 TROA/Luxbet Winter Championship Final at Flemington today.
"I've kept him fresh and happy since his last run knowing that his next run will be over a mile," he said.
"He'll want more ground but I'm also thinking this is going to be a stiff mile on a slow track at Flemington so in the finish you might need a horse looking for a little bit further."
Menados is $3.80 favourite with TAB Sportsbet to win the Final having firmed in from an opening quote of $5.
Racing Victoria yesterday announced they would pay a $600 compensation fee for horses that were scratched from yesterday's Pakenham meeting after it was transferred from Geelong Synthetic, and that they would also waive the scratching fee.
Warrnambool is expected to hold its program with two feature jumps races today.
