Road To Summer was every inch a colt at his initial preparation but not any more.
The three-year-old will resume as a gelding in the Ascend Sales Trophies Handicap (1200m) at Canterbury on Saturday and trainer Gerald Ryan is optimistic about his return.
“He’s come back terrific,” Ryan said.
“He had a short preparation as a colt because he was misbehaving so we put him out and gelded him.
“His two trials have been nice.”
Road To Summer’s only win came on debut in July when he streeted a field of maidens by 3-1/2 lengths.
He then finished fourth to subsequent Group placegetter Florentina before a disappointing eighth to Aeronautical in the Listed Rosebud.
He wound up his campaign with a half-head second to Sangster in a run from which Ryan has taken plenty of heart.
“His last run, the form out of that race has really stacked up,” Ryan said.
“The winner went on to run third in the Spring Champion Stakes then won the Victoria Derby.
“Hoylonny finished third in the race and he goes all right.”
Road To Summer lumped 59kg on a heavy track when runner-up to Sangster and will drop to 56kg for Saturday’s return.
Taking a line through that, Ryan can’t see a rain-affected Canterbury posing any problems.
“His last run with the big weight was on a heavy track and he handled that OK,” Ryan said.
The race has attracted a handy bunch including Listed winner Fontelina, who will also race for the first time as a gelding, and the Gai Waterhouse-trained Wild And Proud.
Chris Waller has paid up for both Said Com and Velrosso although only one is expected to run.
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