Runson (Image: Racing Photos)
Trainer Troy Corstens isn't predicting Runson to shave further time off his own 1200-metre record at The Valley this Saturday as the seven-year-old gelding returns from injury in the $140,000 Listed Chandler Macleod Stakes (1200m).
However, there's optimism that the son of Delzao will produce yet another competitive effort around the tight-turning track.
Runson been finished top-three from three of his six attempts at The Valley with his 4.75-length win at the venue last year on Cox Plate Eve, when running 1:08.77, the standout performance.
“I don’t think he’ll be breaking his track record on Saturday because he’s probably going to need it, but in saying that he gets in with a really good weight and we expect him to be hitting the line well,” Corstens said.
WATCH: Runson break The Valley record
Runson hasn't raced since finishing last in the G2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at The Valley on January 25.
“He’s coming back from a knee operation, he had a couple of chips taken out and we tidied them up,” Corstens said.
“He’s had a really long preparation, we kicked off with water work at Mark Young's and he’s had a really good time of it and he’s ready to go on Saturday.
“We’ve taken a bit longer with him, we’ve given him the two trials, we contemplated a third but instead came here this morning and gave him a good hit out on the course proper and I think that’ll hold him in good stead for Saturday.”
Corstens also mentioned that no program had been decided for his sprinter as they’d assess him after every performance.
Meanwhile, promising three-year-old All Too Terrific will likely take her place this Saturday with the aim of finding some better staying options later this preparation.