It would be rare to find a pair of two-year-olds that commenced their careers in a midweek affair during autumn to then face off against each other in their second starts in an end of season race at The Valley.
But that is the case for the Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Koc-trained Fission who lines up against the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Prado in the Luna Hand Care Handicap (955m) on Saturday.
The pair met on debut at Bendigo with Fission, a $13 chance, getting the better of Prado who was sent off a well-backed $1.40 favourite.
Both colts were put away straight after for varying reasons.
“He needed growing time and was very coltish,” de Kock said of Fission.
“He’s had the time. He should run well on Saturday, but I think he might need the run to tighten up.”
Griffiths and de Kock gave Fission a trip to Tatura to trial in preparation for Saturday’s return where he will also sport blinkers for the first time.
If Fission runs well, the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on August 13 could be on the agenda.
“The blinkers, they seem to have helped him focus a bit,” de Kock said.
“We’ve got him ready and if he does go well, then we’ve got him there for that race.”
Brad Taylor, the racing manager for the Freedman father-and-son training operation, said Prado was possibly over the top by the time he made his debut.
“He was pretty shin sore after the race which is a pretty good sign that he’d had enough,” Taylor said.
“He’s come back good this preparation, had a couple of nice trials and he’s a horse that likes to get on with the job and is a free running horse.
“It would be ideal if we could get a bum to follow, but if not, he’ll be right there on the speed.”
TAB rates Prado the better chance of the pair at $8 with Fission an $11 chance behind the Peter and Paul Snowden -trained Alpha One who is the $2.60 top fancy.