The standover tactics of jockey Damien Oliver has extracted the best from Sunsource in a narrow victory at Flemington.
The win by the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained galloper in the Byerley Handicap (1800m) on Saturday earned the two-year-old a start in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington on opening day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
However, Young said a more realistic option may be to keep the ‘now’ colt for a tilt at the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) in October.
With Oliver riding vigorously, Sunsource ($4.20) scored by a neck from Line Of Fire ($8.50), while the $4 favourite Dolphin Skin was a length away third.
Sunsource had been booked in for a gelding operation on Monday, but Saturday’s success may have delayed that until after a spring campaign.
“We threatened him during the week that he was going to be two-stone lighter, and it’s obviously worked,” Young joked post-race.
“Having Ollie on, ‘The Goat’ standing over him and bullying him a little bit just seemed to work and he hit the line nicely.
“He’s always shown a lot of ability but his last couple of runs he’s just switched off a bit.
“The blinkers on have made him a bit more genuine and it’s great to get another win at Flemington.”
Sunsource won the Magic Millions Ballarat 2YO Classic (1000m) on debut last November but has not been hitting out in his races this campaign.
The way the son of Zoustar had been racing suggested he was looking for ground, but Young said that may not be the case which possibly could place a Derby start in jeopardy.
“We’ll see what Ollie says,” Young said.
“He’s probably bred more as a 1600-metre, 1800-metre horse but you never know.
“Maybe we’ll keep those jewels in and go down the Guineas path.”
With spring on the doorstep, Young said it was unlikely Sunsource would head out for a spell.
“We can freshen him up ahead of the spring, keep him in the barn for a couple of weeks,” she said.
“You put them out in the paddock, they end up getting the snots and that type of thing, so you’re better off keeping them in the barn, nice and warm where you can keep an eye on them.”