TRAINER Peter Clancy is confident Iza Star, will be fully fit to start at Albury today, after a mystery ailment floored the gelding after his last run.
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The promising four-year-old is set to tackle the Garry Purtell Caltex Union Road Class 2 (1000m).
Clancy said Iza Star was the victim of a “mystery virus” after a last-start second to The Youngfella over 1200 metres at Wagga on December 9.
“He was lacklustre for about a week after that race — he went off his feed,” the experienced Leeton-based horseman said yesterday.
“He had a high temperature for five days and didn’t even want to walk.
“We couldn’t work out know what the problem was.
“Then after a while he just reverted back to his old self.
“He brightened up and he’s been fine since.
“We’re still not sure what the problem was.
“It most likely was some sort of virus.”
Clancy said the break away from the track had worked in Iza Star’s favour, allowing him to freshen up.
“Since he’s recovered from the setback, he’s much fresher,” he said.
Clancy said while Iza Star was back to 1000 metres — a trip over which he has two wins and a third from four starts — he would have preferred to find 1200-metre race.
“It was a class 2 event that suited us even though I would have preferred 1200 metres,” Clancy said.
“Iza Star is all right at the 1000 metres.
“He still tends to over race a bit, though.
“He needs the pace on to produce his best.
“He’s always been a bit revvy.
“He’s pretty much the same in his work.
“He can still be a bit hot, which is fine, but only when you want them to be, not the other way around.”
Iza Star is raced by his breeder, David Boots, one of Clancy’s major clients.
Boots has raced many good horses with Clancy, the most notable Zarvista, the winner of 12 races from 42 starts.
“David has been a great mate and client. Over the years, we’ve raced lots of horses together and had some luck along the way,” Clancy said.
Clancy has no major plans for Iza Star, preferring to take stock after tomorrow.
“I think he’s got a future but we’ll just take things as they come,” he added.
“We’ll just see where he gets to.”