Having ticked an important box by claiming a qualifying race for the Big Dance, emerging gelding Sarrismo is preparing for his next challenge – a test of his black-type credentials in the Listed The Coast at Gosford.
Yet to miss a top three finish in nine starts, the gelding has strung together a hat-trick of wins this campaign, building on victories at Warwick Farm and Doomben to take out the Orange Cup (1600m) on April 19 and put himself in the Big Dance mix.
Tom Charlton confirmed the $3 million feature at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day is Sarrismo’s long-term goal, but more immediately, the trainer is keen to see how the four-year-old handles a rise to stakes grade on Saturday.
“That will be his primary aim in the spring,” Charlton said of the Big Dance.
“I guess we just work out whether this will finish him for the campaign, or whether we push on for one more run.
“This preparation, he seems to be putting it together. He’s won his three runs, and looks to be stepping forward each time.
“It’s his toughest test, but it looks like the right option to have a crack.”
Andrew Adkins was successful aboard Sarrismo at Orange, and retains the ride in the $500,000 Gosford feature where the gelding drops from 61kg to the 53kg limit.
Taking on the likes of Group 2 winner Depth Of Character and last start winner Rotagilla, the race shapes as a good litmus test for Sarrismo, early punters banking on his potential to install him a $4.80 favourite.
“He will have to improve, but he’s drawn well so he should naturally be able to be ridden in a forward position, which should suit him,” Charlton said.
“We will see where he fits into that next grade.”
With the Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Cristal Clear an early scratching, a field of 11 will line up in The Coast where seven of the runners have been marked at $10 and under in an open betting market.
