Trainer John Hyam has changed tack with Esprit de Bullet and will run the rejuvenated gelding in Saturday’s Listed W J Adams Stakes at Caulfield.
The Adelaide-based trainer originally planned to head straight to the Group One Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 15 but the horse came to hand more quickly than anticipated.
“A couple of weeks (ago) he had a gallop and Jason Holder rode him and he said, `he’s flying, when’s he racing?’,” Hyam told racingvictoria.net.au.
“I told him he was still four weeks away but he said he’d be ready quicker than that. That’s when we found this race for him.”
Esprit de Bullet has undergone a remarkable resurgence since joining the Hyam stable two years ago.
The eight-year-old underwent three throat operations before the switch and has since won seven races, the most recent his last start at Flemington in December.
He is among 21 entries for the 1000m sprint with weights jointly headed by the Anthony Freedman-trained First Command and General Truce from the Ricky Maund stable.
African Pulse, Shamal Wind and Sydney sprinter Didntcostalot are also among the nominations.
Robbie Laing has entered commanding last-start Caulfield winner Lord Of The Sky who also holds a nomination for the Group Three Manfred Stakes (1200m) on Saturday’s program.
The three-year-old feature has attracted strong interest with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Bull Point scheduled to make his Victorian debut in the race.
It will be his first start since his incredible third to Zoustar in the Golden Rose when he settled down a clear last before flashing home late.
One of the more interesting entries on the Caulfield program is the David Hayes-trained Rawnaq who is set to make his first appearance in 14 months in a 1400-metre benchmark 90 handicap.
The four-year-old was an eye-catching third in Fiveandahalfstar’s Victoria Derby but has not raced since finishing fifth in that year’s Zipping Classic.