STAR galloper Mr Vitality is set to warm up for his date with destiny in next month's $5.5 million International Cup by gracing the opening meeting of the refurbished Happy Valley track on November 25.
Master trainer Ivan Allan is toying with bringing him back to sprinting and a crack at the first leg of the sprint Triple Crown, the Happy Valley Trophy.
The 1,200-metre event is perfect for the versatile Mr Vitality as it is run at set weights of 126 pounds.
Allan reasoned yesterday: 'I spent all day yesterday looking at the programme for Mr Vitality and I have to say this is the race that was the first to catch my attention.
'There are no definite plans yet as I must discuss the matter fully with his owner, but I really want to avoid running him under a big weight in handicap conditions where he would have to concede pounds and pounds to some improving rivals.' Allan has gone on record as saying how important it is to Mr Vitality's already favourite's chances of lifting the 1,800-metre International Cup on December 10 to give him another outing.
'Ideally I want to give him one run and one grass barrier trial before the Cup. That should keep him ticking over nicely,' he said yesterday.
