It's D-day for enigmatic galloper Lord Of The Isles in the Rundles Auctions Australia Day Cup (1800m) at Wagga on Tuesday.
What happened to the Casino Prince five-year-old last start when sent out a $2.10 favourite in a 1400m Benchmark 60 handicap at Wagga on December 24 remains a mystery of the mind.
The gelding, in the words of trainer Nick Olive's foreman Billy Owen, "didn't put in one bit" finishing a disappointing 9-1/4 lengths last to First Draft.
"Richard (Bensley) said from the moment he jumped on board he knew Lord Of The Isles wasn't right," Owen revealed. "He can be a tricky horse at times.
"He pulled up well after the race and we've just given him a bit of time to try and freshen up his mind.
"It's probably D-day for him on Tuesday. He hasn't won for a while."
Lord Of The Isles, who promised so much early in his career, hasn't won since March 2014. To say the least, he's been a disappointing horse who has failed to live up to his early potential.
"He's got a mind of his own. He's a funny horse," Owen added. "Even when he works at home he only does what he has to. The ability is there. He can work good against the best of our horses."
In a bid to clear the gelding's muddled mind, the Olive stable has given Lord Of The Isles a 33-day freshen up and extended his work over the last fortnight.
"We've lengthened his work out and stepping up to 1800 metres on Tuesday should suit him," Owen said. "He's got pretty good form over a journey.
"We were going to run him at Canberra last Friday (January 22) then back him up at Wagga but we decided to just head to Wagga.
"He had a nice bit of work on Saturday and he's pleased us at home.
"He should be hard to beat."
By Tony White
