Gerald Ryan plans to use the final juvenile race of the Sydney season as a spring preview for beautifully bred colt Psychiatrist.
A $1.05 million yearling, the youngster has returned to work stronger and more focused and connections are hoping that can translate onto the racetrack.
Pending his performance in Saturday’s Precise Air Handicap (1200m), the Exceed And Excel youngster will be aimed towards one of the early-season three-year-old sprints, although Ryan is keeping an open mind on which one.
“I don’t know whether we go to the Rosebud, or we might sit back and wait for the San Domenico (Stakes),” Ryan said.
“It depends how he goes. He needs to win another race to get his stake money up so he can get a run in some of these races.”
Psychiatrist had mixed fortunes at his initial campaign, posting an impressive debut win at Canterbury and finishing a sound fifth to Sejardan on a heavy track in the Todman Stakes.
Ryan then sent him to Moonee Valley for the Listed St Albans Stakes, and it is safe to say the horse won’t be going back there any time soon.
“He just didn’t go the Melbourne way of going,” Ryan said.
“He worked alright the Melbourne way, but when he went down there, he was lost as soon as he got to the first corner.”
The colt has prepared for his return with a trial on the Polytrack and while Ryan would have preferred a grass track hitout, he is comfortable his charge has done enough work to be competitive.
“He had a jump out on the grass 10 days before that trial and went very well,” he said.
“He has done the work and he’s had a couple of nice gallops since.”
Ryan and training partner Sterling Alexiou also saddle up two runners in the ATC Thank You Stable Staff Handicap (1300m) with Bitcoin Baby their No.1 seed.
“This is her fifth run of the campaign, so she has the race fitness behind her,” Ryan said.
“She has been consistent without winning, she has held her form and she is going to get a nice run in behind the speed.”
