Gerald Ryan has identified Land’s End as an autumn carnival prospect but hasn’t ruled out the possibility the colt could make a Group One impact this spring.
A $700,000 buy at the Easter Yearling Sale, Land’s End is raced by a high-profile group of owners including Coolmore Stud and Damien Flower’s Jadeskye syndicate.
He will line up in the Structaflor Yellowtongue Plate at Rosehill (1400m) on Saturday, a month after making a winning debut over 1300m at Newcastle when he started at double-figure odds.
“He’s had a month between runs because there have been no races for him,” Ryan said.
“I think he’ll make a really nice 1600 metre horse in the autumn.
“But he could make a (Spring) Champion Stakes horse this year.”
The Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) is run at Randwick on the second Saturday in October and the Rosehill race will be a stepping stone on that path.
Ryan has accepted with King’s Troop and Shacked Up in The Tradie Magazine Handicap but only one will run.
Brenton Avdulla has been booked for both Arrowfield-owned horses and a decision on which will run is likely to be delayed until race morning.
King’s Troop was beaten as favourite on debut at Rosehill last month in an effort Ryan said was no disgrace.
“It was a good debut on a heavy track and he’s improved off it,” Ryan said.
Filly Shacked Up also won her only start at Hawkesbury but the immediate options for her are limited if she doesn’t run.
Ryan said a lack of non-stakes races for three-year-old fillies during the Sydney spring carnival would leave him little option other than to spell her.
“You’ve either got to run in stakes races or go to the paddock,” he said.
“There have been two-year-old races this week and then they turn three and there is nothing for them.”
Inz’n’out will round out Ryan’s Rosehill team in the Selleys Handicap hoping to bounce back from a plain first-up effort.
Ryan said the horse didn’t appreciate the heavy track last start, his first run as a gelding.
“He didn’t like the heavy track and he didn’t have a lot of joy (in the run) but he was still disappointing,” Ryan said.
“He’s done well since so we’ll see how he goes.”
A field of 10 has been paid up for the Listed Winter Challenge (1500m) including the Chris Waller-trained trio of Rugged Cross, You’ll Never and Eigelstein.
