Coolmore Stud Stakes 2015 target for Sebring Sun

Two wins in less than two weeks has convinced Sebring Sun’s trainer Gary Portelli the colt is on the right path to be a force in the major spring three-year-old races.

Sebring Sun won a midweek maiden at Canterbury on July 29 and stepped out in Saturday’s Listed Rosebud (1200m) as the $3.10 favourite.

He lived up to both punters’ and trainers’ expectations when he came out of pack in the straight to stride to the line a length clear of Voilier ($8).

“I’ve always thought he could step up but you worry when they come up against the better horses,” Portelli said.

“I think he has shown he can and he will have to if he’s going to meet horse like Vancouver in the Golden Rose.

“He will go to the Up And Coming Stakes in three weeks and then to the big race.”

Portelli said unlike juvenile Group One winners Vancouver and Pride Of Dubai, Sebring Sun was more likely to head to the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) rather than Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

The $1 million Golden Rose (1400m) on September 12 is the first Group One race of the Sydney spring.

The TAB trimmed Sebring Sun from $51 to $26 for the Golden Rose with Golden Slipper Vancouver the $2.80 favourite.

Voilier will also head to the Up And Coming Stakes before the Ming Dynasty.

“He won’t go to the Golden Rose. I’m trying to avoid those horses,” trainer Gary Nickson said.

Brenton Avdulla, who rode Sebring Sun for the first time, said he was impressive.

“He is a lovely horse,” he said.

“I had to get a bit further back than I wanted and had to time my run.

“But I was confident and he did what I expected.”

Article from justhorseracing.com.au

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