Cannyescent will be given an opportunity to reveal just how good he is in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes at Randwick.
The son of Canny Lad will take the major step from his debut win at Goulburn, but jockey Kathy O’Hara, who rode him in his maiden victory and two trials, believes his true potential is yet to be tested.
“In his trials and that one race he’s had, we’ve been fairly soft on him,” O’Hara said.
“He’s never really been tested in anything that he’s done, so it’s a good test for him.
The Gabrielle Englbrecht-trained gelding will take on the Rosebud Stakes winner Sebring Sun and runner-up Voilier at Randwick on Saturday.
Godolphin has two runners, Inner Circle who was beaten 1.4 lengths in the Group Two Pago Pago Stakes in March, and Shards.
It was the way Cannyescent won at Golburn that prompted his entry in the Up And Coming.
The gelding showed an impressive turn of foot to circle the field from last and win by one and half lengths hard-held.
“At the moment he’s done everything right and he’s showing real potential, so Saturday will be a good tester,” O’Hara said.
“I feel like he’s going to be a nice horse, he’s quite immature still – he’ll be better next preparation.”
So far this decade proven group class performers Scissor Kick, Albrecht and Manawanui have won the race.
Champion stallions Exceed and Excel, Fastnet Rock and Snitzel are also previous winners.
