The Mike Moroney-trained Bermadez (NZ) (Tavistock) will attempt to keep his unbeaten record intact when he runs for the third time at Sandown on Wednesday.
The four-year-old son of Tavistock has had his career halted through shoulder problems which Moroney hopes are now behind him.
“He’s had a couple of problems, one as a younger horse and then on the opposite side after he won his only start,” Moroney said.
“You just never know if they will return again, but we’ve put it down to immaturity and at this stage he’s got a lot further than he has at other preparations.”
Damien Oliver was aboard Bermadez when he was successful in a Geelong 1250m maiden in August last year where he led throughout to record a five-and-a-quarter length win.
After a break to recover from another shoulder complaint, Bermadez brought up win number 1000 for Jamie Kah when successful at Pakenham over 1400m on May 12.
Oliver gets back aboard on Wednesday and Moroney said Bermadez will take his chance from barrier 15 despite being nominated for a race at Flemington on Saturday.
“I doubt we’ll get a run at Flemington, so we’ll head to Sandown on Wednesday and it’s a nice progression for him through the grades,” Moroney said.
“He’s still learning his trade. Last time he did a bit wrong when he got to the front but he was probably just a bit better than them.
“As he’s going through his classes, he’s going to keep learning a little bit more.
“He’s got a tough draw again with the outside gate, but I think he’s improved a bit from that first-up run and we’ve kept him at 1400 metres, but he seems a horse that will get a bit further down the track.”
Bermadez was purchased out of Inglewood Stud’s 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock Book 1 Yearling Sale draft for $280,000 by Paul Moroney.
