Trainer Phillip Stokes has selected a benchmark race at Flemington to kick off promising gelding Jumbo Ozaki’s campaign.
Jumbo Ozaki won a maiden by seven lengths on debut at Pakenham in February before winning his second start at Bendigo.
The gelding’s first campaign ended with a luckless third in a 1400m-handicap for three-year-olds at Flemington in March.
He is set to make his return in Saturday’s 1200m benchmark 70, having cruised to a barrier trial win last month at Pakenham as part of his preparation.
“He trialled nicely and he’s had a jump-out since at Pakenham as well,” Stokes said.
“He’ll step out in a benchmark 70 and it will be interesting to see where he gets to.
“He’s a big, raw bugger but geez he has got a lovely big stride on him.
“He’s a big horse now. He’s grown again. We’ll just kick off low and get him through his grades, hopefully get his rating up and then see where he goes to.”
Fellow four-year-old gelding Terbium, the winner of four of his five starts including the Group Three Zeditave Stakes, impressed Stokes with the way he finished off late in an 800m-barrier trial at Cranbourne on Monday to win his heat by a nose.
Terbium’s only defeat came at his most recent start in early May when sixth in the Group Two Euclase Stakes when he raced off a 10-week let-up.
“I was really happy with that today,” Stokes said.
“He’s come back a lot better than last prep. He probably just didn’t have long enough out and it was all a bit of a rush going towards the Euclase last time in.
“He’ll have one more trial and then I’ll kick him off at the end of the month in a benchmark-90 at Moonee Valley.”
