Decision time looms for Hvasstan's owners

Wednesday 2 April 2014, 5:02pm

Hvasstan's performances in his next two starts will help his owners determine the rest of the horse's career.

The four-year-old will run in Saturday's Community Raceday Handicap (2000m) at Flemington before he tackles the Group Three Easter Cup (2000m) at Caulfield a fortnight later.

His efforts will determine whether connections keep Hvasstan in training or accept one of multiple offers to stand him at stud.

"We have really got to make some decisions," said Manny Gelagotis, racing manager for his brother, Hvasstan's trainer Peter.

"Do we keep him, geld him or sell him to stud?"

A Group Three winner as a spring three-year-old, Hvasstan was first past the post in the Group Two Alister Clark Stakes last year but was subsequently disqualified after he returned a positive swab.

Manny Gelagotis said losing such an important victory clouded the horse's future at stud.

"He would have been home and hosed (at stud) if we had have retained the Alister Clark," he said.

"He would have been very popular being a son of Fastnet Rock."

Hvasstan finished second to the consistent Commanding Time in the Yarra Valley Cup at his third run from a spell on March 16.

The effort convinced Gelagotis the entire was ready to reproduce the form that resulted in a Moonee Valley victory on Cox Plate day last year.

"We're expecting a really big run on Saturday," Gelagotis said.

Apprentice Josh Cartwright will ride Hvasstan with his 3kg claim to reduce the horse's handicap to 54.5kg.

Hvasstan has drawn barrier 11 in the bumper field of 16 plus four emergencies.

Bookmakers have installed Hvasstan as a $6.50 second pick behind $2.60 favourite Akzar in early betting.

– AAP

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