Cassius can reach Everest summit, says trainer Weir

DARREN Weir is hoping Japanese sprinter Cassius can prove to be a wildcard and grab one of the two remaining slots in The Everest.

Weir is over the moon about the prospects of Cassius who makes his Australian debut at Caulfield next Saturday in the Group 3 The Heath 1100 Stakes (1100m).

“He’s a beauty. I couldn’t be happier with him,” Weir said.

Eight days ago Cassius galloped at Ballarat in between races and then last Friday he trialled at Warrnambool and the trainer was thrilled with what he saw.

“On both occasions he really well,” Weir said.

“He’d never seen a heavy track and he handled it really well.

“He’ll run next Saturday and then have another couple of did runs and hopefully he’ll put his hand up for The Everest.”

Weir said Cassius wasn’t fully wound up but would be fit enough to acquit himself well next Saturday.

Cassius is one of five Japanese horses syndicated by Melbourne owner Ozzie Kheir who will run at the spring carnival.

Cassius is a four-year-old stallion and has had only eight starts for two wins, two seconds and a third. He’s a Group 3 winner and a Group 2 placegetter.

Weir said the other two of Kheir’s horses which joined his stable from Japan, Tosen Basil and Admire Robson, had also trialled well at Warrnambool last Friday.

Weir said Tosen Basil would make his Australian debut in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 15 and would be set for the Caulfield Cup.

Weir said Admire Robson was a little behind that pair and would make his Australian debut in the Naturalism Stakes (2000m) at Caulfield on September 22.

Weir said he would have three runners in the Group 1 Memsie Stakes (1400m) next Saturday at Caulfield which would be Caulfield Cup favourite Kings Will Dream, Humidor and Black Heart Bart.

He could also have Danon Liberty run in that race.

Weir said the trio pleased him at Warrnambool last Friday with their work and suggested Kings Will Dream was slightly better in his work than the other pair.

Weir said they would all gallop at either Warrnambool or Ararat tomorrow.