Cup Kick Off For On A Jeune
Story By Chris Scholtz
Tuesday, 15 August 2006:  | | On A Jeune |
On A Jeune ran the race of his life to finish second to champion mare Makybe Diva in the 2005 Melbourne Cup but did not regain that form in the autumn when trainer Peter Montgomerie set him for the Sydney Cup.
Firmer tracks in the autumn did not suit On A Jeune and took their toll on his joints.
"He was very ordinary and I put that down to the tracks being too hard," Montgomerie said.
"When we came home X-rays showed a fair bit of wear and tear in his joints.
"He is fine and going along well at the moment, but he will be monitored because I don't want the horse to break down."
On A Jeune started last year's spring campaign with a ninth in the Balaklava Cup. The gelding finished ninth in the race last year.
He went on to win the Geelong Cup to secure a Melbourne Cup start and Montgomerie has the same program mapped out this spring depending on how the stayer is treated by the handicapper.
On A Jeune is nominated for the Caulfield Cup and may be directed to that race if Montgomerie feels he is severely weighted in the Geelong Cup.
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