Promising three-year-old Aeronautical is back in work and could resume as early as January.
The three-year-old underlined his potential during the winter when he showed an explosive turn of foot to easily win the Listed Rosebud.
Trainer Lionel Cohen confirmed Aeronautical returned to his stables a month ago and was being readied for a return in the first few weeks of the new year.
“The Royal Sovereign is certainly a race I have in mind but he will possibly run before that,” Cohen said.
“I’m looking at somewhere around mid January, all going well.”
The Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) for colts and geldings is at Warwick Farm on February 18 and is a traditional starting point for the autumn three-year-olds.
Cohen is keen for Aeronautical to get some more experience under his belt before then, given the gelding has only had one racing campaign.
His only attempts at stakes company outside The Rosebud were in the Group One Golden Rose won by Manawanui and the Roman Consul Stakes won by Foxwedge.
He failed to beat a runner home in either but was far from disgraced.
“The Golden Rose was a bit fickle,” Cohen said.
“He didn’t learn a lot out of that race and he was very immature compared to the other runners on the day.
“In the Roman Consul he finished the fastest 400 metres of the day.
“It was a good performance. He finished 1-1/2 lengths behind Foxwedge and that horse’s form in Melbourne was good.
“So they weren’t bad runs. They just weren’t his best.”
Cohen said Aeronautical had returned in good shape and had furnished and matured during his break.
He believes his first couple of runs back will be crucial and he is leaning towards keeping him to sprint trips in the short term.
“His first race or two will be quite important,” Cohen said.
“I’d like to get him back on track, pick the right races then progress from there.
“I haven’t earmarked any specific races for him although I think he is more of a sprinter at this stage and ideally, I’d like to stick with his own age group.”
South African Cohen only started training last year after enjoying success as an owner and breeder in his homeland.
Aeronautical gave him his first stakes success as a trainer and Cohen is optimistic about the gelding’s future.
“He’s doing very well in his work and he looks good physically,” Cohen said.
“I’m quite excited about him.”
AAP TURF
