Trainer Danny O'Brien says the Group Two Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley will bring on his Australian Cup contender Vigor for what he hopes will be the six-year-old's best campaign yet.Vigor had his spring campaign cut short through injury but O'Brien is daring to hope that the gelding's bad luck is now behind him.O'Brien said he was looking for a solid run from Vigor first-up over 1200 metres on Friday night after delaying his campaign and missing the Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington nea
Trainer Danny O'Brien says the Group Two Australia Stakes at Moonee Valley will bring on his Australian Cup contender Vigor for what he hopes will be the six-year-old's best campaign yet.
Vigor had his spring campaign cut short through injury but O'Brien is daring to hope that the gelding's bad luck is now behind him.
O'Brien said he was looking for a solid run from Vigor first-up over 1200 metres on Friday night after delaying his campaign and missing the Manifold Stakes (1400m) at Flemington nearly two weeks ago.
He said he was happy to give Vigor an extra foundation for the autumn with the Australian Cup at Flemington on March 12.
"He is in good order," O'Brien said.
"He came out of the spring early doors because of a couple of little issues but they are all fine now."
Vigor has never won first-up and notably all of his eight wins in 26 starts have been at 1500m or longer.
"I wouldn't think he would be figuring against some those better sprinters on Friday night but you would like to see that pleasing first-up run from him," O'Brien said.
"I would be very happy if was hitting the line, midfield.
"Importantly he needs to get his fitness levels up because the Australian Cup comes around pretty quickly."
Glen Boss has been booked to ride Vigor who is at $14 in a crack field which includes Australian Racehorse of the Year Typhoon Tracy ($2.40 fav) and gun sprinting mare Ortensia ($4.80).
The Australia Stakes also heralds the return of accomplished Group One performer Heart Of Dreams ($12) who had his spring cut short when he jarred up in the Underwood Stakes.
Vigor has been an unlucky horse since he beat Typhoon Tracy in the 2009 Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington.
He should have nearly won the 2009 Caulfield Cup but drew the outside barrier and finished third to Viewed.
He was balloted from the 2009 Melbourne Cup and last year suffered a hindquarter tear when third in the Makybe Diva before eventually succumbing to the problem when unplaced in the Turnbull Stakes, effectively ending his spring campaign.
Peter Moody won last year's Australia Stakes with Black Caviar and Typhoon Tracy is ready to add to that success after a winless spring which finished with a last-start second to Sacred Choice in the Group One Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day.
The winner of 10 of 18 starts, five-year-old Typhoon Tracy is unbeaten in three 1200m runs and from barrier two should have no excuses with Luke Nolen on board.