HK on hold as Bel Sprinter aims for spring

Tuesday 16 July 2013, 3:05pm

Hong Kong plans for Bel Sprinter have been put on the back burner as the gelding is directed towards two Group One races during the Melbourne spring carnival.

Bel Sprinter arrived back at trainer Jason Warren's Mornington property on Saturday after a two-month stint in quarantine following his second placing behind Lucky Nine in the KrisFlyer International Sprint in Singapore.

Racing manager Julian Hay said Warren was concentrating on trying to win the Manikato Stakes or Patinack Farm Classic with Bel Sprinter before thinking about running at the Hong Kong International meeting in December.

He said there was so much good racing in Sydney and Melbourne between October and April which the stable had to weigh up against another long spell in quarantine if Bel Sprinter was to race in Hong Kong.

The five-year-old may get his chance for revenge on Lucky Nine with the Hong Kong sprinter a possibility for the $1 million Manikato Stakes on October 25 at Moonee Valley.

"I hope he comes out because that will be a great contest," Hay said.

"It would be great for racing and there would be a huge build-up for that race.

"We'd love to have another crack at him."

At Flemington on Saturday Warren will be pinning his hopes on Jayconi in the 1000m Aspen Handicap with Craig Newitt aboard.

The six-year-old gelding finished fifth behind Pago Rock at Caulfield last month and that's the calibre of horse the stable is trying to avoid.

"We're trying to dodge some of these good horses and we've pinpointed this race on Saturday," Hay said.

"We're back at 1000 metres and we think he enjoys the straight at Flemington."

Warren will also have progeny of Group One winner Magnus running - Magnaro in the Riverdale Handicap and Magnatune in the Polo Prince Handicap.

– AAP

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