Trial To Decide Neo Cleo's Speed Star Prospects

A 450 metre trial next Tuesday will decide whether two-time group 1 winner Neo Cleo takes her place in Sunday week's 595-metre Speed Star Series at Sandown Park.

Currently second on the Speed Star leader-board with the 33.98 time she posted when second to Often Imitated in the Group 2 McKenna Memorial in July, Neo Cleo's appearance in the fast approaching match race series has been up in the air after the daughter of Cosmic Rumble split her webbing when a beaten favourite at Sandown last Thursday week.

"It's not as bad as we first thought," said Rob Neocleous, partner of Neo Cleo's trainer Wendy.

"Straight after last week I was pretty sure she'd be out of the Speed Star and even thought it might be time to retire her but the split webbing was a good split and it's healed really well.

"She's tearing up and down the runs at home and feels great so the plan is to give her a 450 metre trial next Tuesday and if she goes like I expect then we'll nominate her for the Speed Star."

Winner at 36 of her 77 starts, Neo Cleo's love affair with the Sandown circuit is well documented, the daughter of Cosmic Rumble taking out the Group 1 Sapphire Crown in May when in the care of Rob Britton.

Britton also guided the Sale Cup winner to a group 3 Easter Gift victory at Sandown, while she's also finished runner-up in the past two group 2 McKenna Memorial Finals.

"She's missed about a week of solid work but that won't worry her, she's very fit," added Neocleous.

"She's feeling great so it's just a matter of her going well on Tuesday to push ahead."

Meanwhile, Neocleous reports Neo Cleo's litter-brother Blackjack Neo is definitely out of the Speed Star Series, expected to be sidelined for six weeks after falling at Warragul on Tuesday night.

"It could have been worse, luckily it's only superficial injuries," he added.

"I haven't had much luck of late with the two of them; Blackjack was stitched up at the track on Tuesday night so he'll be out for a bit. He'll miss the Speed Star."

Blackjack Neo was ranked fifth for the 595-metre Speed Star, his withdrawal opening the door for another chaser down the pecking order to grab a spot in the $20,000 to-the-winner series.