Mark Kavanagh has warned stable followers to forget Sound Journey's last start failure and give him another chance in the Lord Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.The five-year-old had looked very good in gaining a late split and flashing home to beat stablemate Our Saint over 1400m at Flemington on November 7 and then easily accounting for Barwon Express when scoring by 2-1/4 lengths over 1500m at Sandown on November 21.However, he didn't get into the race when tenth to Sadalbari as a short-priced
Mark Kavanagh has warned stable followers to forget Sound Journey's last start failure and give him another chance in the Lord Stakes at Caulfield on Saturday.
The five-year-old had looked very good in gaining a late split and flashing home to beat stablemate Our Saint over 1400m at Flemington on November 7 and then easily accounting for Barwon Express when scoring by 2-1/4 lengths over 1500m at Sandown on November 21.
However, he didn't get into the race when tenth to Sadalbari as a short-priced favourite over 1700m at Flemington on December 12.
"It was a walk, trot and gallop last start," Kavanagh said.
"They ran the first 1000 metres in 67 seconds, it was a sprint home and (he) couldn't make ground.
"Just forget the run and hope for a bit of pace."
The Mick Kent-trained Sadalbari, who ran fourth to Sound Journey at Sandown two starts back, is the $3.40 favourite with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Sound Journey at $3.70, Growl at $6, Its Prince at $6.50, Ista Kareem at $8.50 with Dr Nipandtuck next best at $11.
Sadalbari scored a strong win over Its Prince and Dr Nipandtuck at Flemington to take his record to an impressive seven wins from 15 starts and Glen Boss retains the ride having jumped aboard the five-year-old for the first time last start.
Sound Journey, who won the 2008 Group Two Alister Clark Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley when with the Mick Price stable, will be ridden by Steven Arnold who won on the horse two starts back at Sandown.
Meanwhile, co-trainers Terry O'Sullivan and his daughter Karina will be represented in the Lord Stakes by Poised To Win and Dolphin Jo, who is on the comeback trail.
Dolphin Jo hasn't raced since suffering a suspensory injury in the 2008 Caulfield Cup in which he finished 15th to All The Good and will be ridden by Brad Rawiller on Saturday,.
Prior to his injury the gelding had won the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield.
The seven-year-old, who ran fifth to Efficient in the 2007 Melbourne Cup, is being prepared with the Adelaide and Sydney Cups in mind.
Poised To Win, who won three starts back at Flemington over 1600m on November 7, will be ridden by Craig Newitt.
Darren Gauci will ride last-start Traralgon Cup (1900m) winner Escape Artist who looks the likely leader in the 11-horse field.