Busy schedule ahead for rising star

NEXT month’s The Holmfield will be the first feature target for rising star Andover Sun this preparation.

Returning from a seven-month break with a win at Tabcorp Park Melton today, the Maree Caldow-trained trotter has been aimed at a host of majors.

Along the Victoria Trotters’ Derby and Australasian Breeders’ Crown in November, Andover Sun’s schedule includes the Vicbred Super Series the following month.

What the three-year-old does between now and The Holmfield is yet to be determined according to Caldow’s husband and reinsman John.

“He was put out for a spell longer than planned due to the Corona pandemic and has been ready to go for some time,” John said. “He’s just had a few trials to keep him ticking over before the right race for him to return came along.

“He’s got a busy period in November and December, but not a lot before then.

“The Holmfield is a good option on October 10, but he will need another start or two before that, but at this stage I don’t know where that will be.”

Caught three-wide from barrier five, Andover Sun was pushed forward to find the lead as Mariachi was eased to take a trail.

Forced to dig deep during the latter stages the son of Andover Hall scored by two metres from Naked Ambition, with Aldebaran Stevie 20-and-a-half metres away third.

“It got close at the end but he had them covered,” John said. “The run will certainly tighten him up.”

Rating 2:01.2 for the 2240 metres, the squaregaiter provided John with the opening leg of a double.

John rounded out the card by leading throughout with Kasbah Kid which accounted for Bulletproof Boy and Rishi.

Having his second start for the Freddie Taiba stable, Kasbah Kid rated 1:53.1 over 1720 metres.