Di Caprio Makes Raceday Return

By Joshua Smith, Harness News Desk

Brian O’Meara is looking forward to heading to Nelson on Friday where he will kick-off Di Caprio’s new season campaign.

The seven-year-old entire was in fine form during the spring, placing in the Gr.3 Maurice Holmes Vase (2600m) before winning the Gr.3 New Brighton Cup (2600m).

While he was looking on track for a second tilt at the Gr.1 New Zealand Trotting Cup (3200m) in November, a corn issue that has hampered the son of Shadow Play for the last few years resurfaced and put a stop to those aspirations.

“After he won it (corn) burst out the top of the coronet and the split from the coronet down was about an inch,” O’Meara said.

“Once it blew out the top it cleaned it right out so hopefully things will be a lot better for him.

“He has been held up by that foot for at least two seasons. I would like to think that without that pain that he should turn into a really nice horse now.”

Di Caprio was given a spell and he is set to resume in the Nelson Pine Industries Nelson Cup (3000m) on Friday.

O’Meara his happy with him ahead of his first-up run but said his 35m handicap is a bit concerning first-up.

“I am not that happy about the handicap,” he said. “He is off 35m and you are giving the likes of Mark’s (Purdon) horse (Group Three performer Shan Noble) 10m.

“He hasn’t been to a workout or trial, not that I go to many. He will go well but whether he will be caught one short I am not quite sure.

“He looks great but because it has been three months since he has raced, whether he needs the run we will find out.”

Racing is not the only thing that has brought O’Meara north, with the Fernside trainer looking forward to catching up with his son.

“My son Paul is the manager of Fulton Hogan in Blenheim,” O’Meara said.

“We have got somewhere to stay and I like coming to Nelson. I used to come up quite regularly and it is a good place to start him (Di Caprio) off.”