Will Clarken has his fingers crossed with high class import Ironclad heading to Sandown on Saturday.
It’s a been a rollercoaster spring campaign for the horse nominated for the big three – Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup – magnified by a first-up failure in the Leon Macdonald Stakes.
“He’s had very disrupted preparation,’’ Clarken said.
“He missed another trial on Tuesday. He’s fresh and he’s definitely fit.”
Ironclad won his first five starts under the care of Clarken including a win in the C S Hayes Stakes in Adelaide and Golden Mile at Bendigo but the stable is cautious knowing the campaign hasn’t been a smooth one.
“I would have liked to have done a little bit more with him,’’ Clarken said.
“His feet are also 100 per cent, but maybe his confidence is bruised after last time.”
Damian Lane rides the horse form barrier 11 where he’s marked a $5 second favourite.
