Trainer Jake Stephens was left a little puzzled by Alcopop's first Sydney start and hopes the gelding can give him a better indication of how he is going in Saturday's Chipping Norton Stakes.Alcopop was off the bit the entire way in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) in which he finished 10th and it hasn't been smooth sailing for him leading into the Chipping Norton (1600m) at Warwick Farm either.Stephens said Alcopop jarred-up in the Apollo and also had some irregularities with his blood so he
Trainer Jake Stephens was left a little puzzled by Alcopop's first Sydney start and hopes the gelding can give him a better indication of how he is going in Saturday's Chipping Norton Stakes.
Alcopop was off the bit the entire way in the Group Two Apollo Stakes (1400m) in which he finished 10th and it hasn't been smooth sailing for him leading into the Chipping Norton (1600m) at Warwick Farm either.
Stephens said Alcopop jarred-up in the Apollo and also had some irregularities with his blood so he had to give the five-year-old an easy week after the race.
Alcopop's blood was better on Monday and the trainer elected to send the gelding to Kembla for a serious hitout on Tuesday ahead of Saturday's Group One contest.
"He went well today at Kembla," Stephens said.
"Because I had to give him such an easy week last week I needed to give him a hitout between his races because he's getting up to the mile this week."
Alcopop worked over 1200m in evens and sprinted home his last 600m.
Stephens also used the gallop to give Alcopop more experience the Sydney way of going as he said the gelding stayed on his right leg the entire way in the Apollo, instead of changing to lead with his left once they straightened for home.
The beaten Melbourne Cup favourite from last spring found it hard keeping up with the solid tempo set in the Apollo, won by the fast-finishing Danleigh from Rangirangdoo and Palacio De Cristal.
All three horses will again line up against Alcopop on Saturday.
Stephens was disappointed his charge wasn't able to finish off stronger than he did but suggested the son of Jeune may be a bit more dour this campaign coming off a Melbourne Cup preparation in the spring.
Alcopop will be better suited over 1600m and further where the pace of the race is unlikely to be as frantic as the Apollo Stakes.
"I'm not expecting the world from him this week but I certainly want to see an improvement," Stephens said.
Alcopop is scheduled to step up to 2000m in the Group One Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill a fortnight after the Chipping Norton and then go to The BMW (2400m) on April 3.
Alcopop is currently the $7 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for The BMW.