ASTUTE jumps trainer Eric Musgrove has played down the chances of his first-season jumper Little Phoenix in a maiden hurdle at Casterton on Sunday but admitted the five-year-old could develop into a top jumper next season.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The former Chris Waller-trained Little Phoenix lines up for his fourth jumps start against nine rivals in the 3480-metre race.
Musgrove said Little Phoenix is a promising type who should go through his grades.
Listen to this week's edition of The Standard's football podcast - The Main Break
READ MORE:
"I've got a bit of a wrap on Little Phoenix," the veteran trainer told The Standard. "He shows a lot of potential.
"His three jumps starts have been good efforts but there's a lot more improvement in him. He's a big strong type of horse and will derive a lot from the experience of running over hurdles this season.
"I'm expecting him to run well over the hurdles on Sunday but he's going to be a better steeplechaser next season. The maiden hurdle is a tough race. It would not surprise me if he won.
"I'll be happy if he just runs well, a win would be a bonus as I said he'll be better next year over the bigger fences."
Following Sunday's run, Little Phoenix will be set for a race at the final jumps meeting for the season at Ballarat on August 23.
Musgrove has four jumpers running in the other two jumping races on the program.
Tiger Tim and Coleridge are his representatives in the restricted hurdle while Lucques and Tremec are Musgrove's runners in the open steeplechase.
The first race on the seven-event program is scheduled to start at 12.55pm and the last at 4.45pm.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
