Spring Campaign Still Unclear for Lion of Belfort

A notable performer over his maiden racing preparation through the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival, trainer Mick Price has revealed he is yet to settle on a plan of attack for Lion Of Belfort this season, despite the four-year-old completing a strong barrier trial at Cranbourne on Tuesday morning.

Trainer Mick Price is yet to settle on spring plans for Lion Of Belfort. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia

Expected to return to racing in 2014 for a standout autumn preparation, Lion Of Belfort was disappointing when sixth in the Group 2 Rubiton Stakes (1100m) and fifth in the Group 3 Zeditave Stakes (1200m) on February 22nd and was later found to be suffering from kissing legions in his spine; all but ending his campaign.

Confident the Statue Of Liberty entire has completely recovered from injury, Price said jockey Damien Oliver did not believe Lion Of Belfort felt as convincing as he did leading up to his standout 2013 spring preparation.

“Damien Oliver wasn’t 100% convinced that he trialled as good as he did during the spring last year as a three-year-old,” Price told Racing Victoria.

“He is an entire though and had a very solid blow after the trial.

“He may have another trial at Caulfield but the trick with him will be to try and get him back to his good form.

“He’s getting there but he just needs a couple of weeks more to bring him on.”

Contesting an impressive record of three race wins and two minor places from just seven competitive starts so-far, Lion Of Belfort immediately made his presence felt when second to Washington Square in the Geelong Cup Packages Plate (1000m) on debut before claiming back-to-back victories in the Surf Coast Limo Bus Plate (1100m) and Mitchelton Wins Plate (1200m); the latter over a classy field including the likes of Nite Rocker and Hucklebuck.

Continuing to build in form and class over his next two starts, the stallion out of Literature secured without doubt his biggest race win when finishing a length in the clear of Safeguard in the Blue Sapphire (1200m) on October 12^th before running on to claim third in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) on November 2^nd.

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