He’s known as Hulk around the stables and Pradason will have to be every bit the superhero to win Saturday night’s Group 2 Renown Silverware Tatlow Stakes for two-year-old boys at Tabcorp Park Melton.
His owner-breeder Anthony Moody isn’t expecting miracles in what will be just the youngster’s second career start, but does believe he has a nice horse on his hands.
Moody said he will use the $50,000 feature as a gauge on where Pradason stacks up against some of the most talented juveniles in work.
The Emma Stewart stable has the highly-regarded Be Happy Mach, a winner of the Group 1 NSW Breeders Challenge at his latest outing, and recent Vicbred Super Series runner-up Mirragon in the race, while Damien Burns’ top colt Youaremy Sunshine looks one of the leading contenders.
“We’re not expecting to win, but you never know,” Moody said.
“We will know exactly where he is at and how he shapes up with the best of the two-year-olds.”
Moody, who had his most success as an owner with 2009 Inter Dominion Pacing Championship grand finalist In Monaco, said Pradason had benefited from trainer Allan McDonough’s relationship with the Stewart stable.
McDonough has recently taken up work at the Cardigan facility and works a few of his own horses at the property.
“This time in work he has improved and I think having him on the farm with Emma and (husband) Clayton’s horses has built him up,” Moody, 68, said.
“We hadn’t been able to work him with quality two-year-olds before he went to the farm. Now we can work him with the better horses and we can judge where he’s at.
“He’s a big horse, is very green and still learning the industry, but has got a tonne of ability.”
Pradason, a striking black gelding by Shadow Play out of Stylish Jasper, impressed at his only career run to date, a strong victory in the Vicbred Super Series Bronze Pace at Tabcorp Park Melton on July 9.
Flying Jo is Moody’s other youngster in work and she produced a slashing display to win last time out at Bendigo in a mile rate of 1.56.3.
“I think he is better than her to be honest at this stage,” Moody said when comparing his two horses.
Emerging reinsman Darby McGuigan will take the drive on Pradason this Saturday night in what is one of two main features on the 12-race card.
The Tatlow Stakes for the two-year-old fillies is the other Group 2 event and Stewart-trained runners make up more than half the field.
The stable has engaged last-start Australian Pacing Gold Championship winner Treasure, Vicbred Super Series place-getters Amelia Rose and Jemstone and stablemate Jo Dina.
Michael Stanley-trained Iolanta might prove the biggest resistance to a Stewart success after catching the eye with a second placing on debut last month.
