Tony Noonan’s Mr Optimistic is among a host of Spring Carnival hopes kicking off their campaigns when racing returns to the turf track at Racing.com Park on Wednesday.
The Mornington trainer has a good opinion of the talented three-year-old, throwing in early nominations for Group 1 features like the Caulfield Guineas and Cox Plate.
Mr Optimistic finished third in the Listed Bruce McLachlan Memorial Classic (1200m) on the Sunshine Coast last start and has form around the likes of Jameka and Lazumba.
“I hope he’s come back real good but I won’t know that until Wednesday,” Noonan said.
“There’s plenty that are dreaming – it’s pie in the sky sort of stuff – but he’s only had limited racing and looks a promising horse.
“He’s had some time in Sydney where he was going to run in the Run to the Rose but unfortunately we had to scratch him because he had a bit of a cough but now he’s in really good order.”
Mr Optimistic is the top-weight for the Polytrack 3YO BM64 Handicap (1200m) with gun apprentice Michael Dee taking the ride from barrier five.
It’s a hugely strong race with the likes of Faatinah (David Hayes and Tom Dabernig) and Mr Individual (Leon and Troy Corstens) also going around.
“I’d expect him to be hard to beat,” Noonan said.
“He’s going to improve with the run and he’s going to be better placed when he gets over more of a trip.”
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