John Thompson has been waiting to get stablemates Strength and Trophies up in distance and gets his wish at Rosehill on Saturday.
The two Casino Prince colts will line up in Saturday’s Group Three The Schweppervescence over 1400 metres, six years after their sire was unplaced as favourite in the Golden Slipper at the corresponding meeting.
Strength finished eighth in the Skyline Stakes (1200m) three weeks ago while Trophies was sixth in the Todman Stakes over the same distance a week later.
Thompson had Strength entered for last Saturday’s Pago Pago Stakes but saved him to run over the 1400m on Saturday.
“We’ve been waiting for the 1400 and he gets it on Saturday,” Thompson said.
“I’d be disappointed if he didn’t finish if the first three or four.”
Trophies will be ridden by Jim Cassidy while Michael Rodd partners Strength.
Cassidy was aboard both in pleasing gallops at Randwick on Tuesday.
“There’s not much between them on their work,” Thompson said.
“Jim Cassidy rode both colts on Tuesday morning and just said they were both nice horses going forward.
“Trophies needed to get up in distance but we went to another 1200-metre race with him last start and it was just too short for him.”
Thompson, who is head trainer for Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm operation, said the Listed Fernhill Handicap (1600m) was a natural progression after The Schweppervescence.
The Group One Champagne Stakes could also be an option depending on how the colts perform on Saturday.
Flying Snitzel, who hit the line strongly for third in last Saturday’s Magic Night Stakes (1200m), is favourite with TAB Sportsbet at $2.70 ahead of the Peter Snowden-trained Solemn at $5.50.
Strength is at $21 with Trophies at $26.
