Paul O’Sullivan is not getting carried away ahead of Pakistan Star’s first start for his stable in Sunday’s (7 April) G2 Chairman’s Trophy (1600m).
“We’re all guessing,” he said when pressed about whether or not the high-profile gelding still has what it takes to nail another big-race win.
What O’Sullivan does know is what he has seen since the two-time G1 winner arrived in his yard two months ago.
“Everything’s fine, he trialled well and he’s behaving himself – he looks pretty content. He’s a nice, kind horse in the box, he’s fed well and he just does everything you want him to do,” the New Zealander said.
“He certainly arrived in good order and we’ve just done what we normally do with them, which wouldn’t be too much different to what Tony (Cruz) would have done. But we’ve given him a bit of a freshen-up.”
The hope is that a refreshed Pakistan Star will step out this weekend and show a glimmer of his old verve, just as he did in the same contest 12 months ago. A trademark rattling late run to fourth on that occasion was the platform from which he sprang to G1 scores in the QEII Cup (2000m) and Standard Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m).
But this season has been a flat disappointment. He made the short walk to O’Sullivan’s yard from the Tony Cruz stable off a six-race campaign that suggested the enigmatic galloper had declined from his impressive peak.