In Sisterson's care, Bandua readies for Canadian International

Jack Sisterson is no newcomer to the racetrack but is a recent addition to the training ranks after being engaged by the storied Calumet Farm.

Now, after just a few months on the job, Sisterson will be visiting Woodbine for the first time and bringing along the three-year-old Bandua for the Grade 1 Pattison Canadian International, set for Saturday, Oct. 13.

Bandua will be making his first start in Sisterson’s name after beginning his career in Ireland with Dermot Weld, who also was the trainer of record for the colt’s first two American starts.

“Dermot had his own crew at Arlington and Kentucky Downs,” said Sisterson. “Jeff Byrne was traveling with the horse and did a great job. They left him in great shape for us and we were in a situation where we just had to keep the horse happy, really.”

Sisterson had been keeping a close eye on the proceedings, however, when Bandua finished third when facing fellow three-year-olds in Arlington’s Grade 1 Secretariat over 1 ¼ miles of good turf.

“His effort in the Secretariat was very promising, I thought,” said Sisterson. “They went quickly enough up front. He showed a lot of early speed, to sort of keep up with those fractions, and sort of kept him going.”

Bandua’s next and most recent appearance, also against his own age group, yielded a fourth-place finish in the Dueling Grounds Derby at Kentucky Downs with his Canadian International pilot Adam Beschizza in the irons for the first time.

“He was in a good spot, and Adam gave him a great ride,” said Sisterson. “Whether it was the track he didn’t sort of like, or what it was, I thought he’d run a better race than he did. We think he’ll come on a lot for that run.”

Beschizza will be back in the irons, also making his Canadian debut, and Sisterson believes the spacious Woodbine layout will enable Bandua to deliver an optimum performance.

“I think if a horse is ever tailor-made for a course, it would be Bandua for Woodbine,” said Sisterson. “He’s got such a big stride, and he’s a very galloping type of horse. We’re excited to run him up there.”