Sprung aims for one better in Testa Rossa

A year after a narrow defeat in a stakes race at Caulfield, Well Sprung will line-up at Caulfield looking for revenge.

The five-year-old runs in Saturday’s Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m), a race in which he was beaten a nose 12 months ago by Keen Array. an opponent again.

Well Sprung meets Keen Array 3.5kg better this time around but there is a major stumbling block in the form of Brave Smash who is heading to The Everest as the Australian Turf Club’s slot holder for the $10 million race at Radwick onOctober 14.

Lyn Proctor, who trains Well Sprung in partnership with her daughter Leonie Proctor, said the gelding had come through his first-up sixth behind Brave Smash at Moonee Valley on September 9 in good order.

But she admitted he faced a tough task on Saturday.

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“He’s a little more forward this year I think,” Tolson said.

“We’re looking forward to Saturday but you don’t get any easy races at this time of the year and it would be nice to go one better, but we’re up against Brave Smash again.”

Saturday’s performance will determine whether Well Sprung sticks to 1200m or has another try at 1400m.

Last year Well Sprung contested the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield, finishing ninth to Bon Aurum, but Tolson is thinking of waiting an extra week and heading to Flemington for the Paris Lane Stakes.

Brave Smash dominates betting on Saturday’s race at $1.65 while Well Sprung sits on the fourth line of betting at $11 behind El Davino ($7) and Keen Array ($8.50).