Paul Abela is hoping his enigmatic sprinter Aston Pilsner can break his lengthy run of outs at Sandown Park tonight.
After running fourth on his debut, Aston Pilsner was placed in his next 14 starts including five wins. He’s been placed twice at group 3 level (in the Healesville and Devonport Cups) but extended his run of outs to nine after running fourth at The Meadows on Saturday night, much to the frustration of his trainer.
“He’s like a box of chocolates – I don’t know what I’m going to get,” he told RSN Breakfast Club.
“If he runs what he trials he’ll win by five (lengths) but he doesn’t race like he trials. Fingers crossed he puts his best foot forward today and wins the race but the confidence isn’t there with him.”
When asked what he can do try and convert that trial form into race form, Abela’s frustration was clear.
“We try and change a few things and give him a spark up, but nothing has really worked to be honest. My mate (Anthony Azzopardi) had him before me so we tried a different trainer, but he’s hard work. I don’t really know with him, he’s been a really frustrating dog.”
Aston Pilsner will jump from box 3 in race 6 and is rated a $7.50 with TAB.
Abela was much more confident in his other runner, Five Star, in race 1.
“He’s a pretty good pup. We got the money two weeks ago, and we were a bit stiff last week – a dog lost its compass and took us out. But this week we’ve got an inside draw and I expect us to go pretty close to be honest.”
Five Star is the $2.40 favourite with TAB to win the night’s opening event which will jump at 6.54pm.
Click here for your free Watchdog form guide
*Odds quoted correct at 10.30am. Visit tab.com.au for latest markets.
