Colt’s behaviour still a head-scratcher
fractious in the stalls, attempted to burrow out under the front of the gates and became cast for some time.
Unsurprisingly, Heliosphere was deemed unfit to start and ordered to trial to the stewards’ satisfaction, which he did at Randwick soon after when he finished fast alongside the inside to take third.
“What happened at Canterbury has got me beat because he has never shown any tendency to be a bugger in the barrier before,’’ Ryan said.
“I think it might have been because he was standing in there for so long. I’ve been happy with his trials, especially the way he has been finishing off, hence going 1400m firstup. I think he will run well.’’ Heliosphere is a flashy colt who was knocked down for $160,000 at the 2016 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale in Sydney.
“He is a nice horse who will get better with age,’’ Ryan said.
“I think he’ll get over a bit of ground, he’s just taken a bit of time.”