Flamberge’s return to straight-track racing at Flemington will determine whether he steps up to one of Melbourne’s main off-season sprints.
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The Peter Moody-trained sprinter scored first-up over 1100m at Caulfield and is being aimed at the Group Three Standish Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on New Year’s Day.
The four-year-old is favourite in Saturday’s Lanec Services Handicap (1000m) to build on an already impressive straight-track record of two wins and a second from three sprint starts at Flemington.
“He would want to be running really well tomorrow to say we are on target for the Standish,” Moody’s racing manager Jeff O’Connor said.
“We think he’s up to a Standish but you want to see him if not putting them away tomorrow, then at least having an excuse.”
Flamberge’s half-brother Sunburnt Land won a Straight Six at Flemington and was placed in both the Salinger Stakes and Patinack Farm Classic in 2008.
His full-sister Curtana won two Listed races at Flemington and was second to Star Witness in the 2010 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
“(Owner) David Moodie knows the family better than anyone and they love the straight,” O’Connor said.
“So we are happy to go there and target that race in a couple of weeks’ time, using this as a stepping stone race.
“But also it’s very suitable to give him another look down the straight before the stakes race.”
Flamberge defeated stablemate Infinite Energy first-up at Caulfield and Infinite Energy gets the chance to go one better on Saturday when he contests the Isis Handicap (1200m).
Infinite Energy has never raced up the straight which is a query, and O’Connor is hoping the horse is still sharp enough for 1200m.
His two wins at the distance have been when fresh.
“He’s going super,” O’Connor said.
“It’s a little bit tricky as to whether it’s an ideal distance for him at his second or third run back. He sprinted well first-up at 1100 metres and we’re just hoping he’s still got a bit of zip left to run out a 1200 and have a real dash late.”
O’Connor rated Flamberge and Infinite Energy as the stable’s best chances on the Flemington program.
