Sadler eyeing big prize in The Showdown

Trainer John Sadler will have Sartorial Splendor in the inaugural $1 million Showdown at Caulfield.

Trainer John Sadler is known for his patience but the lure of a big prize money cheque has him eyeing off the inaugural running of The Showdown at Caulfield.

The two-year-old race, to be run on Saturday, is exclusive to the progeny of VOBIS nominated stallions.

Sadler has debut Terang winner Sartorial Splendor aimed at the 1200m-race which carries a first prize of $522,500 with the trainer saying the colt has undergone a rushed preparation.

“Saturday is the only reason we’ve pushed him,” Sadler said.

“It’s a million dollar race otherwise he wouldn’t have run yet.

“He’d be running in three weeks time but we have hurried him along a bit.”

Sadler said Sartorial Splendor did things wrong at Terang when successful on April 14 as odds-on favourite and it was only his ability that got him through.

He said the colt was only up to jump-out stage at Terang, but the win had brought him on.

“He galloped on the (Caulfield) course proper on Saturday morning and it doesn’t get much better than what he did,” Sadler said.

“We also took him over to the on-course stalls to have a look around just to get him used to the surrounds on race day.”

A $130,000 yearling, Sartorial Splendor is a half-brother, by Brazen Beau, to Fontiton who won her first three starts for Robert Smerdon.

“He was one of Brazen Beau’s first year so there was a question mark on him, but he’s a really nice horse and a very good horse,” Sadler said.

“He’s one of the best gallopers I’ve had but whether he’s the best racehorse we’ll have to find out.”

Sadler has been forced into a jockey change with Michael Dee, who rode the colt to victory at Terang, electing to stick with likely favourite Prince Of Sussex.

“Jocks are very hard to find at the moment,” Sadler said.

“They’re either rubbed out or riding interstate or going to Hong Kong, but we’ve got Jordan Childs.”

Saturday’s inaugural race has attracted 32 nominations with the Lindsay Park operation of David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig having four entries while there are six two-year-olds nominated for their first starts.