VERSETTO looks ready to show his best after a barrier trial win at Rosehill

Injury plagued gelding VERSETTO returned to racing after twelve months on the sidelines with a narrow but decisive victory at last Friday’s Rosehill trials.

The four year old son of Widden Stud’s YOUR SONG was a $150,000 Magic Millions purchase at the 2016 January sale and has managed only five career starts in a career hampered by injury.

VERSETTO didn’t start racing until his three year old season,  breaking his maiden at start number three with an exciting five way finish at Gosford in May 2018 .

That win was meant to springboard his progression through the grades, however two subsequent below par runs masked further injury concerns and the owners were again forced to send him to the paddock.

“We have always had a really good opinion of this horse and everyone who has ever had anything to do wth him has always said the same thing” said managing owner Stuart Lang.

“After his win at Gosford we really thought he would progress through to Saturday grade and we were really disappointed with his two runs at Warwick Farm”.

Adding further confusion was the introduction of barrier manner issues , VERSETTO proving a handful to load , eventually seeing him scratched at the barrier when scheduled to run at Newcastle.

“The barrier issues were a real concern , and in hindsight , probably a clue as to the underlying injuries he had ” added Lang.

The owners decided to pull up stumps and he then spent 12 months in the paddock at Redbank North in the NSW Southern Highlands.

“The time at Redbank North really did him the world of good. Every time we checked in on him you could just see him filling out into that big frame and he really strengthened up during his spell ” said Lang .

“We were keen to take it really slow with him and we sent him to the team at Aqua Gait to start him on the water walker”.

VERSETTO spent six weeks getting a base level of fitness before returning to Whispering Pines under the watchful eye of master horseman Paul Blattman .

“Paul has had him since he was a yearling and has a deep understanding of what makes him tick. Once Paul said he was good to go, we were happy to send him back to Bjorn at Warwick Farm” said Lang.

Baker too has taken his time with him , a jump out on his home track the only serious lead up to last Fridays trial .

“Bjorn has commented in his updates to owners he is a much more switched on horse now and that he has finally filled out that big frame. We are just hoping we finally get to see the real VERSETTO this preparation ” concluded Lang.

VERSETTO was ridden in Fridays trial by jockey James Innes Jnr, a jockey the team have had success with in the past courtesy of classy mare GIRL SUNDAY .

Innes Jnr bounced VERSETTO straight out of the gates to take up the running , before giving a bit more rein on straightening .

VERSETTO was able to give a good kick , and despite tiring late , was able to hold off the fast finishing stablemate SOPHIELLA and the well performed DAWN DAWN to win the trial by a short head in a very slick 54.79 sec for the 900m.

A win like that after 12 months on the sidelines certainly suggests the owners are well placed to have their patience rewarded when he finally returns to the races in coming weeks.