New Zealand star Xtravagant has eased in markets on Australian features following his unexpected defeat in the Levin Classic.
But his jockey Matt Cameron said the colt’s fourth as odds-on favourite at Trentham on Saturday should be overlooked because of the rain-affected track.
“The track was just completely against him,” Cameron told Trackside.
“It was a good run and he wasn’t far off them.
“At least we know now he’s not going to cop an off track and they have decent tracks over there and away we go for Australia.
“I was under a little pressure holding him on to the turn, but he did not have his electric turn of foot on the track.
“This is not the grand final and we have bigger and better things ahead of him.”
The Australian Guineas in Melbourne and the Australian Derby in Sydney are among the options for Xtravagant.
No long after Xtravagant’s defeat, Cameron rode Adventador to a surprise win in the Group One sprint at Trentham, the Telegraph Handicap.
Adventador, an 80-1 chance, enjoyed the conditions to lead all the way.
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au