Racing: Weissmuller swings into action

Weissmuller was beaten two lengths over 1400m at Flemington and the same margin over the same journey at Sandown at his next start. Photo / Thinkstock

It didn't go to script for Wairarapa trainer Andrew Campbell at Flemington last Saturday.

However, he hopes his excursion to the races at Mornington today will reap a far different result.

Campbell watched on at Flemington as Cauthen struggled in a listed race and the horse's spring fate was sealed yesterday, when he was ruled out of the Melbourne carnival because of shin soreness.

Today, Campbell has Weissmuller in the Follow @Sportingbet on Twitter Handicap (1600m) and expects an improved showing from the 4-year-old on the two runs he's produced in Melbourne this campaign.

Weissmuller was beaten two lengths over 1400m at Flemington and the same margin over the same journey at Sandown at his next start.

"He probably needed those first two starts. He had had five months off," Campbell said. "I'm very happy with him and he's stepping up in distance which will suit him more."

Weissmuller has won two of his eight starts including the Wellington Stakes (1600m) last season.

He has been nominated for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate but Campbell conceded those plans were ambitious. "We put him in the Cox Plate just as a dream, but we won't carry on with that," he said.

"He came over as a stablemate for Cauthen, but he's got ability. You'll see that once he gets to 2000m."

Weissmuller's opposition includes the Anthony Freedman-trained import Fruehling who hasn't started since finishing fourth in the group three JRA Cup at Moonee Valley almost a year ago.

Fruehling is nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and The Metropolitan in Sydney.

Moving further north, the horse with the best winning streak going into today's Warwick Farm meeting can take another step towards making up for a lost opportunity.

On A Shining Star will be trying to stretch an unbeaten run since resuming when he contests the Big Sports Breakfast Handicap (1100m).

Since a 2-year-old campaign which started out full of hope for trainer Ken Callaughan but ended in mid-season disappointment, On A Shining Star has been faultless with three wins from as many starts.

He heads to the city for the first time as a last-start Goulburn winner, disposing of his older rivals by four lengths. The nature of the win vindicated Callaughan.

"I thought he could win the Black Opal, that's how good he went early."

His plans came unstuck because of an affliction associated with racing 2-year-olds. "Three weeks before I was about to start him he went a bit shin sore."

On A Shining Star was a metropolitan acceptor last week but Callaughan thought it was better to wait for a race for 3-year-olds.

The gelding, the first foal to race from Callaughan's multiple city-winning mare Bella Arena, has shown natural speed to lead and win his past three Goulburn starts.

His opposition includes last-start provincial winners Gust Of Power and Opulence Start as well as Engagement and Radiant Miss, placegetters behind Tulla Touch in a similar race at the track last month.

- AAP