Rejuvenated Veteran Makes Aspros Proud
- Thursday, 10 November 2011 05:46
Leanne Aspros is proud of the turnaround Theophorus has made on the track since joining her stable.
But she is more proud of his turnaround off it.
When the gelding came to her earlier this year he had not won for almost three years and had almost no self esteem.
"He was just a horse with no confidence," Aspros said.
"It was nothing detrimental to whoever had him before, but I think in his last couple of preparations he raced with so many injuries he got sour.
"We've treated him with kid gloves."
The facilities at Aspros' Warwick Farm base have been put to good use with Theophorus.
He does little work on the track, maintaining his fitness by swimming and working off a lead pony.
And judging by his racetrack results it is working.
At just his third start for Aspros, Theophorus broke his long drought from the winner's circle with victory on his home track in August.
Two runs later, he repeated the dose at Canterbury.
While Aspros is thrilled to get him back and winning, she is even more satisfied to see the change in his demeanour.
"He thinks he's someone special now," she said.
"We call him Mister Ed, the talking horse.
"He lets you know what he wants.
"I'm enjoying training him, it's been a big personal achievement for me.
"To me, I feel like I've given him something back."
Theophorus will line up in the Jacob's Creek Sparkling Moscato Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday after being scratched from last week's Hawkesbury Cup because of the firm track.
Theophorus finished six lengths third to Somepin Anypin last start at Rosehill and Aspros didn't believe he could turn the tables on that galloper on a dry track at Hawkesbury.
As it turned out, Somepin Anypin won the Cup by four lengths.
Theophorus will still face a handy field on Saturday, headed by the up-and-coming Riva De Lago.
The Con Karakatsanis-trained four-year-old is unbeaten in two starts since being gelded and is the $2.60 popular elect in TAB Sportsbet markets with Theophorus at $17.
