O'Sullivan hopes for Vialli QE II tonic
A Queen Elizabeth II Cup win for rippling fit Vialli would give New Zealand champion jockey Lance O'Sullivan a major boost as he faces a traumatic week that includes major surgery on his left leg.
O'Sullivan, who rode in Hong Kong for Lawrie Fownes, could not be happier with Vialli, who poses a major threat to local horses in Sunday's 2,000-metre late-season showpiece.
'He's in a lot better shape than I am. I doubt if Vialli has ever been better and Paddy [Payne] is in line for a really good ride,' said O'Sullivan.
'He hasn't raced since February but we like to keep him fresh and he goes all that much better.
'He has pleased us all enormously and he will be well suited to the conditions on Sunday. We're pretty happy that there are only 11 runners as well.' Vialli arrives tonight and co-trainer Dave O'Sullivan arrives on Thursday to oversee the German-bred stayer's final gallop and leadup work.
A bad leg break over two months ago floored Lance O'Sullivan's hope of riding Vialli here but worse was to follow.
O'Sullivan, with the permission of the doctor, began riding trackwork two weeks ago but only succeeded in basically re-breaking the leg. The bones had not fully knitted and came apart.
'I now have to go back into hospital for another operation so we are back where we started. It's not good but a win for Vialli would certainly be a tonic,' said O'Sullivan.
So, too, will be the birth of his second child. Wife Bridget is expected to give birth on Friday while Vialli struts his stuff on Sunday and O'Sullivan goes under the knife next Wednesday.
'It's a very eventful few days,' he said.
