Break for Almanzor’s Virtuous Circle

[Wandering Eyes]

Liam Howley will resist temptation with his pin-up galloper Virtuous Circle (NZ) (Almanzor) and bypass next Saturday’s A$2 million Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m) and instead send the colt to the spelling paddock.

Shortening onto the third line of betting after a brave runner-up performance in the Gr.2 Moonee Valley Vase (2040m), Howley said he felt the Almanzor colt had ‘done enough’ in three runs this preparation.

“Don’t get me wrong the owners would love to have a Derby runner… but it was a big effort and to ask him to back up a week later and to ask the same effort might be too far,” Howley said.

“When he hits the line like that everyone says Derby, but he’ll get his chance in time.

“Mac’s (James McDonald) comments backed that up he said ‘super horse, just not yet.’”

Virtuous Circle had three runs this campaign winning at The Valley first-up before placing third in the Gr.2 Stutt Stakes (1600m) prior to Saturday’s second placing. Howley’s colt closed late to get within three-quarters of a length of Berkeley Square at his first attempt beyond 1600m.

“James was rapt but that mid-race tempo where they walked just killed us and he had too much to do,” Howley said.

“He still thought on the bend he was going to get there but when you have a good one in front of us it’s too hard to nail in time.

“I am keen to see him on the bigger track with a bigger straight, that will work to his advantage.

“Also, with that little bit more time and a bit of mental toughness growing up, it might help him sit closer in the run with races with no tempo.

“He is still maybe a little bit of a baby who is having a look at them and realises what it’s about and then launches.”

Howley identified the Gr.1 Australian Guineas (1600m) and Gr.1 Randwick Guineas (1600m) as options in the autumn.

“I would like him to thicken up, I have always been mindful the whole way along I thought physically he was still six months away and that’s why I have spaced his runs,” he said.

“He was bought to be the banner child and I was very mindful not to push the boat out too far with him.”

Bred by Diane McDonald and Rob Mulcaster, the colt was offered by Wentwood Grange at the Sydney Classic Yearling Sale where Howley signed the ticket at A$360,000 with Andrew Williams Bloodstock and Bevan Smith Bloodstock.

Virtuous Circle is a half-brother to Listed Castletown Stakes (1200m) winner Danger Strykes.

So taken was Howley by Virtuous Circle, he went to A$225,000 to secure his full brother at the Gold Coast Yearling Sale earlier this year.

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