The road to the premier autumn staying races begins on Saturday for spring revelation Doctor Doom.
The Guy Walter-trained gelding will line up in a talent-laden Royal Sovereign Stakes (1200m) at Warwick Farm against the likes of Manawanui and Moment Of Change.
Doctor Doom made a meteoric rise last campaign, winning a midweek maiden at his third start in August before snaring the Group One Spring Champion Stakes less than two months later.
The fact he reached such heights was no real surprise to Walter, it was the fact he did it in his initial campaign.
“He just kept improving all the time,” Walter said.
“He’s always been a horse who has shown us plenty of ability.
“But to go from being a maiden to a Group One winner in his first preparation, it’s a big effort for any horse.”
Walter expects Doctor Doom to find a few of his Royal Sovereign rivals too sharp on Saturday.
The gelding is headed along the traditional path towards the three-year-old triple crown races comprising the Randwick (1600m) and Rosehill Guineas (2000m) and Australian Derby (2400m).
Given those plans, Walter said it was crucial Doctor Doom had a solid fitness foundation for his first-up run.
“Pretty obviously, 1200 is short of his best,” Walter said.
“But although it’s hard to see him winning I expect him to run a bold race.
“Importantly, he’s adept in wet ground which he will probably need to be.
“After this he goes to the Hobartville and the Randwick Guineas.
“They’re going to 2000 metres (in the Rosehill Guineas) at only their fourth run so they need a bit of work.
“He wants to be fairly ready first-up.”
Doctor Doom has also been nominated for both the Doncaster Mile (1600m) and The BMW (2400m).
While Walter doesn’t expect him to fire until he hits a middle distance, he is open to being proven wrong.
“At the very top level, you would think he’s only going to be really competitive beyond a mile,” Walter said.
“But I might change my view of that as we go along, particularly if the tracks are wet.”
Manawanui is the early Royal Sovereign favourite with TAB Sportsbet at $2.50 ahead of unbeaten Victorian Moment Of Change at $3.40 with Hot Snitzel ($8.50) the only other runner under double figures.
Doctor Doom is a $35 chance.
AAP TURF
