Flamberge Tunes Up For Monash

Although approaching veteran stage trainer Darren Weir still believes Flamberge (Aus) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) has another big pay day in him as he prepares the 7-year-old for a comeback run in the G3 Sir John Monash S. at Caulfield July 15. Weir put the finishing touches to the gelding with a 900m workout at St Arnaud on Tuesday and reported himself pleased with the three time Group 1 winner's condition. “He's sound and well and happy to be there doing it,” Weir told Racing.com on Tuesday. “He's a bit hard to get a guide on because he's so casual. But I think the main thing is he is enjoying himself, he's happy around the stable and he's sound. His trackwork's very casual, but he's been like that ever since I've had him, so hopefully this prep we can get a better crack at him.” Flamberge won three Group 1 races when with Peter Moody, the final one coming in the G1 William Reid S. at Moonee Valley in March of last year. Following a brief period with trainers Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra Flamberge was switched to Darren Weir for whom he has run five times. His best effort for Weir was when he finished fourth in the G1 Black Caviar Lightning S. at Flemington in February, albeit beaten only a neck in total.