Material Man To Revive Belmont Sprint Memories
The Belmont Sprint was the race that launched a golden run for Material Man and trainer Jason Miller hopes the gelding can replicate that success at Belmont on Saturday.
Six months after he ran second-last in a 1700m handicap at Flemington, Material Man resumes in the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m), his first run for Miller’s stable.
“His showing all the right signs that he still wants to be doing it,” Miller told Tabradio.
“Every time I ask something of him he has stepped up and handled his work.
“It’s renowned that he has had a lot of problems with his feet, but touch wood I’ve had pretty much smooth sailing with him.”
Miller gave Material Man two trial hit outs to build his fitness. He ran second to We’ve Got Dreams over 1000m at Bunbury and in an 1100m heat at Lark Hill on May 18 he beat home Abdicator.
Miller said Material Man will be close to his top in the Belmont Sprint.
“In the first trial I wanted an easy one and told Clint (Johnston-Porter) to keep a good hold of him,” Miller said.
“I just wanted to see how he performed and to give his legs a stretch a little bit up the straight and he did everything we asked.
“I was really happy with the effort.
“The second trial only had three in it but he had a little left in the tank.
“He’s in good order, fit and well within himself.
“I’m really happy with him.”
Material Man will follow the same path as two years ago when claimed the Belmont Sprint, Hyperion Stakes (1600m) and Strickland Stakes (2000m) in a Group 3 trifecta.
Despite his racing age, Miller believes he can still get the best out of Material Man.
“If he can perform in these three races coming up, he is getting on, but he is still showing all the signs of wanting to be a race horse,” Miller said.
“He is lightly raced and not showing any signs of his age.
“You put a saddle on him he still acts like a three-year-old.
“He still has plenty of life left in him.”
Julio Santarelli