A juvenile race trainer Robbie Laing has used for horses considered Victorian Derby hopefuls is no longer in its traditional May timeslot, forcing a change in plans with last-start winner Polanski.
Laing thought he would be starting Polanski in the Listed Gibson Carmichael Stakes over 1600m at this time of year, but that race has been moved to July 6 and is now the last race of the Taj Rossi Series for two-year-olds.
Instead, Laing will send Polanski out in Saturday’s The Golden Fleece & Court Jester Plate (1600m) before turning his attention to getting him ready for the Derby in the spring.
Polanski scored over 1440m at Caulfield last start, running down Gracious Prospect to win by a half neck with more than four lengths back to third.
“He should be better suited at a mile and he’s a big strong colt,” Laing said.
“This is generally around the time they have the Gibson Carmichael and that’s the race I was setting him for, but it’s been pushed back to July.
“He’s trained on well and he’ll go to the paddock after Saturday and hopefully we’ve got a Derby horse.”
