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Heavy support for debutant at Caulfield

3 minute read

Trial watchers have latched onto debutant Sunzou in the Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield.

Trainer: Shane Nichols.
Trainer: Shane Nichols. Picture: (Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images)

Mornington trainer Shane Nichols is hoping the early support for Sunzou is on the money ahead of the two-year-old's first start at Caulfield. 

Sunzou makes his debut in the Listed Redoute's Choice Stakes (1100m) on Saturday and has been backed from $10 into as short as $4.80 in early TAB betting on the race in which the John Sadler-trained Yowie was the $3.30 favourite. 

Nichols said Sunzou, a two-year-old son of Zoustar, was a $150,000 yearling purchase from the Magic Millions Sale on the Gold Coast and had trialled nicely in preparation for his debut. 

"I trialled him against Glenfiddich and Groundswell  at Woolamai a couple of weeks ago and he trialled OK," Nichols said. 

"Those horses beat him home, but he went well. 

"I wanted him in a trial where he was under a bit of pressure. He did corner on the wrong leg and got a little bit lost when he had to quicken. 

"He's vulnerable on Saturday because when he comes off the bridle he might lose his action a little bit, but the end result is I think he will be a really nice horse. 

"He is an immature horse, but I've got a lot of time for him, and I think he will be much better at three." 

Nichols said Sunzou had been shin sore in a previous preparation, requiring a break, but had gone through his current campaign without any problems. 

"We brought him up this time using Fulmen Park's water walker plus he's had a few trials," Nichols said. 

"He's controlled the two-year-old trials pretty well, but against the older horses he was out of his comfort zone, which I wanted before he went to the races as part of his education. 

"He's a big strong horse, a good-looking colt." 

Nichols said if Sunzou performed well at Caulfield on Saturday, he may look to a stakes race in Adelaide in the coming weeks before a break ahead of the spring.


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