EXCITING first-season import Mr Vitality is to run three times before the end of the season.
The Ivan Allan-trained three-year-old put in one of the most impressive debut displays ever seen in the territory when easily accounting for a quality field of Class One sprinters back in mid-January.
A mild touch of 'flu has kept him off the track since then but Allan has gradually brought him back and has pencilled in the Sassoon Challenge Cup over 1,200 metres on April 22 as his next and eagerly-awaited outing.
Speaking from Singapore, the champion trainer said yesterday: 'Because we all have such a high opinion of him there was no point rushing him back and we were even prepared not to race him again this season if necessary.
'But he's pleased us over the last few weeks and will run in the Sassoon Challenge Cup prior to a crack at the Chairman's Prize.' Mr Vitality arrived from his native Australia with a big reputation following a close second in the Group One Blue Diamond Stakes in Melbourne and a good fourth in the top two-year-old contest, Sydney's Group One Golden Slipper.
But Allan will only run his International Vase third, Wonderful Way, once more this season if at all.
