Vasil keeping the lid on Haradasun
Monday, 14 August 2006: Tony Vasil is a little overwhelmed about the hype surrounding Haradasun who will have his second race start this week in either the Vain Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday or in a restricted three-year-old event at Flemington on Sunday.
The trainer said he couldn't believe the Swan Hill maiden winner had been backed in to $34 in the Cox Plate.
"Whoever has supported him must be looking into a crystal ball," Vasil said.
The Fusaichi Pegasus colt, a half-brother to Vasil's best ever horse Elvstroem, attracted plenty of attention at his debut winning a two-year-old event at Swan Hill by 10 lengths on June 9.
It was the same race Elvstroem started his auspicious career in three years earlier which led to victories in the Victoria Derby, Underwood Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Caulfield Cup, Orr Stakes, St George Stakes and the Dubai Duty Free in Dubai.
While Elvstroem was guided by jockey Eddie Cassar to a less exciting three-quarter length win at Swan Hill, Vasil feels comparisons at this stage should start and end with the basics.
"He has a long head, four legs and a tail and is out of the same mare," Vasil said.
"He's a nice colt, but the proof is in the pudding.
"A lot of trainers go through their whole career and have never had a horse like Elvstroem and if another one came along it would be unbelievable."
Like Elvstroem, Haradasun has a great temperament and like the Danehill stallion who is now standing at Blue Gum Farm, he is a late foal.
"Elvstroem was a November foal. When he won the Derby he was still only two. This colt (Haradasun) is almost a December foal.
But unlike "Elvis" he is a much heavier horse weighing in at 540kg.
"He's a big unit," Vasil said.
"When Elvstroem won the Dubai Duty Free as a five-year-old he was 497kg.
Haradasun had two weeks in the paddock after his trip to Swan Hill and after a week on the walker has been back in work for seven weeks come Saturday.
The colt is one of 22 nominations for the Listed Vain Stakes (1100m), but Vasil took the precaution of entering him for a 1000m race at Flemington on Sunday in case he doesn't get a start.
"I want him to have a look at Caulfield to give him the experience of going around the course proper," he said.
"He's got bigger priority races ahead of him and he's not wound up. If he gets past a few horses I'll be happy."
"It's a big difference between a stakes race and a Swan Hill two-year-old."
Vasil says he is confident Haradasun will get 1600m and he's hoping the colt is up to a race such as the Caulfield Guineas, but he wants to see him prove himself first.
"Whether it's in the Caulfield Guineas or a Class three up the bush I don't know," he said.
"There's a lot of hype about the horse. He has a long way to go, but if he's half as good as Elvstroem I'll be happy."
Nash Rawiller, who was Elvstroem's regular partner, will ride Haradasun in whichever race he contests this weekend.
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