Sense Of Sun gave his connections a memorable season last year and they are hoping the ride continues when he has his first run in nearly five months at Moonee Valley.
Geelong trainer Sheila Arnold, who has booked her son Steven for Sense Of Sun’s return in Saturday’s Device Technologies Handicap (1200m), says she is excited to see the seven-year-old gelding back at the races.
“It’s been a long time so I’m very happy to have him racing again,” she said.
The winner of nine of his 27 starts, Sense Of Sun was formerly trained by Gavin Beever before winning his first four runs for Arnold, including twice at Sandown, last autumn.
At the end of July he also took out Darwin’s feature short-course event, the Palmerston Sprint (1200m), with his meteoric rise earning him the honour of Geelong racehorse of the year.
He had only a light spring and hasn’t raced since failing his test at 1600 metres at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week.
“We wanted to try him at a mile but that didn’t work out so we gave him a really good spell,” Arnold said.
“It was an amazing year last year and what he has done for us has been fantastic.”
Sense Of Sun has a rating of 88 which only just allows him to sneak into Saturday’s 0-89 class race in which he is the 59.5kg topweight.
Arnold is unsure how much more Sense Of Sun has to offer but she knows he will again give his best.
“He is ultra-consistent and tries so hard,” she said.
“I’m really happy with him.
“He’s had a couple of jumpouts and he is as fit as we can get him without having a run but it is going to be a lot harder for him this campaign.
“He is up in grade now so it is not as easy as it was and horses eventually reach their level.
“He may have reached his but I am happy with him going into Saturday’s race.”
Arnold said Sense of Sun wasn’t being specifically trained for the Darwin carnival again, but hasn’t ruled out a defence of the Palmerston Sprint.
“He likes it up there and we will assess him as we go along,” Arnold said.