Weight-for-age star Avilius has continued preparations for his next assignment in the Caulfield Stakes with a solo gallop at the venue of the Group One race.
The James Cummings-trained Avilius has won his only two previous Caulfield races in February this year, the Carlyon Cup and Peter Young Stakes, and he re-acquainted himself with the circuit on Tuesday morning when he was taken from Flemington for a gallop.
Godolphin stable representative Sean Keogh rode Avilius in the hit-out and said he was in terrific order for Saturday’s Caulfield Stakes (2000m), his first Melbourne appearance of this year’s spring carnival.
“It was a nice gallop,” Keogh said.
“He’s a casual style of horse so James likes to get plenty of racing into him to get him fit.
“He doesn’t mind a bit of rain and a bit of juice in the ground and the track was beautiful this morning.
“He came down to us about 10 days ago and as he’s been here before he’s settled in nicely.”
The imported Avilius claimed his third Group One win in the George Main Stakes (1600m) in Sydney at his most recent start before being sent to Melbourne.
He is the $2 favourite for the Caulfield Stakes, which will be the fourth run of his campaign, and Cummings has made a habit of sending some of his big race contenders from Flemington to Caulfield to gallop in the lead-up to feature races at the venue.
“They just get a day out and I think the float trip does them well,” Keogh said.
“We’re very happy with him. He looks terrific.”
Along with Avilius, the Cummings stable took Thousand Guineas favourite Flit, Tenley and Viridine to work at Caulfield on Tuesday.
