Longer break to favour Witness: Hall
As Spectacular as wins by Psychologist and Beneteau were in Saturday's Blue Diamond Preludes, it hasn't diminished Nick Hall's confidence as he prepares for his first Diamond ride.
Hall said his mount Star Witness would take a power of beating in Saturday week's $1 million race at Caulfield.
Hall said the Danny O'Brien-trained colt would go into the Diamond on a "perfect" three-week break, while the Prelude winners had a two-week turnaround.
"That might have been their grand final and now they've got just two weeks to repeat it. My horse goes in with a good break between runs," Hall said.
"You know he'll be strong at the end of the 1200m. That was the strongest part of his win at Flemington.
"They'll fly in the Diamond and that will suit him ideally."
Star Witness, having his second start, brushed home his final 400m in the 1100m Talindert Stakes in 21.97sec at Flemington nine days ago.
Only Nicconi (21.48), Wanted (21.94) and Headway (21.82), all in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes, ran faster final 400m at the meeting.
Star Witness shares third favouritism at $8 with Crystal Lily, who has not raced since her dominant Diamond Preview win on January 26.
Story by Adrian Dunn, to view full Herald Sun story click here
Photo by Slickpix, to view Slickpix website click here
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