Angus Indiana will return from a short spell and head straight into Sunday afternoon’s Weir’s IGA and Liquor St Arnaud Pacing Cup for trainer Scott Rains.
The six-year-old finished at the tail end of the field in his last start at Kilmore which his trainer has described as ‘uncharacteristic.’
“I put him out for a little break and brought him back and his preparation was faultless. Everything was looking good leading up to the race, but he put in a very sub-standard run which was uncharacteristic,” Rains said.
“I had some tests on him and what not and it turned out he had a virus and it just flattened him and it took a bit for him to recover.”
The son out of Kims A Goddess has been a proven metro-grade horse with wins at Melton at long-odds.
“I would like to see him keep racing in town and there, but isn’t a suitable race for him at distance because I like to keep him at that 2240m (distance) at Melton, “he said.
He probably lacks a little bit of high speed, but what he lacks in speed he makes up in his ability to stay.
“He is a definitely a winner and loves to win.”
Angus Indiana featured at the Maryborough trials ahead of Sunday’s $15,000 event.
“I trialed him at Maryborough and he ran really well and he finished second behind Damien Burns’ really good two-year-old – Hesitate,” Rains said.
“He (Angus Indiana) ran to the line really strong and just got run over at the line by Hesitate.”
Promising young gun Sean O’Sullivan is set to pilot Rains’ charge on Sunday.
“I have known the O’Sullivan’s for a long time. I have known Sean since he was a young fellow and when he was getting his licence. I have watched him drive and I thought I would give him an opportunity,” Rains said.
“I just like to give the young people an opportunity if I can.”
Angus Indiana has drawn six for the 2150m trip with the ruled-out emergency drawing five.
“I am actually super happy with that,” Rains said.
“I was just praying for a front-row draw and my bloke is not fast off the gate, but he just keeps coming.
“He can hold his own and push forward.”
Rains, 40, has loved the incentives the St Arnaud’s club have put on to draw a crowd to the racetrack including a $50 fuel voucher and bonuses for the trainer and driver of the day.
“It’s great that St Arnaud are incentivising the trainers and drivers to go out there and race at the cup meeting,” he said.
The trotting feature on the card is the St Arnaud Sporting Club Trotters Cup with the Chris Angove-trained Sundons Courage to join the Shaun and Jason McNaulty-prepared Travel Bug as the furthest back runner off a 30m handicap.
St Arnaud Cup Day is a family-friendly event, featuring Pony Trots sponsored by Gusman Racing, face painting for the kids, Kelly Sports events, and a DJ between races. There’s something for everyone, making it the perfect outing for families and friends.
