Double Group winner Iva Vision faces a tough return to racing at Thursday’s Albion Park meeting but trainer Peter Young believes he can win.
The chaser, who enjoyed a sparkling 2014, jumps from box one in the day’s eighth race, the tattsbet.com Stakes (520m).
Iva Vision has not raced since a fifth-place finish in a Gosford Cup heat back on December 26, with connections opting to rest the sprinter after a busy but successful campaign.
He faces a handy field here including Bill’s Fantasy and Farmer’s Gold and Young is expecting a hard battle.
“He is looking a million dollars – but looks don’t win races,” the trainer said with a smile.
“The best part of this is that he has the one box. He needs all the help he can get here.
“I do expect him to go well (but) he is lacking race fitness.”
Iva Vision exploded onto the scene last year with 10 wins from his first 15 starts, including the Group 3 Schweppes SA Derby at Angle Park.
He later claimed the Group 2 Macro Meats Shootout at Sandown Park, defeating a field including Oakvale Destiny, Awesome Project and Allen Deed.
Iva Vision has won both his previous starts with the red rug and has been trialling “solidly” during his break according to Young, who works out of Morayfield, just north of Brisbane.
The trainer said the Richmond Derby heats on March 6 were likely for Iva Vision, with the Golden Easter Egg heats later in the month also a possibility depending on the chaser’s progress.
“He had a big campaign and it was a warm summer up here,” Young said. “He needed a break.
“He was just a pup last year and it was his first campaign.
“I believe he will come back better than ever.
“He made a good impression last year and we hope he can continue that in 2015.”
Renouf’s Magic looks the bet of the day in the 10th and last, while Kulu Cha Ching looks a strong chance with the red rug in race six.
Alongside Iva Vision, take Up The Attitude (race five) and Birkdale Beauty in race seven to complete the quaddie.
For Albion Park Thursday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
