Unfortunately for trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr their aspirations of a Derby win with Artzino did not eventuate for the three-year-old.
But that has not stopped the pair looking further ahead with the gelding who will progress his career in the Sir Henry Bolte Handicap (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Price and Kent Jnr pulled-up stumps early in Artzino’s spring campaign which forced him to miss the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington while the gelding’s autumn campaign had to be stopped after one run in February.
“He got a bad blood and we had to give him a bit of time off which was frustrating because we had Derby aspirations for him,” Kent Jnr said.
“But I think time has been his friend though. I think it’s the best he’s ever been.
“He’s a bit of a busy horse and we’ve just noticed between runs that he’s really in the zone.
“He’s feeling well but he’s not over the top coming back in from his workouts.”
Artzino had his spring campaign halted after finishing fourth over 1800m at Flemington in October and resumed in the autumn finishing seventh in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Sandown in February.
The son of Tarzino was then off the scene until May 27 when he was a closing third behind Elkington Road over 1600m at Sandown.
That run convinced Kent Jnr that Artzino was back in the form he showed in three spring runs and more importantly his work between runs has been solid.
And Kent Jnr is looking forward to Artzino stepping out over 2000m for the first time on Saturday.
“I think it’s a lovely race for him. I really think he’s going super,” Kent Jnr said.
“He got too far back first-up over the mile, but he rushed home nicely.
“The rise in trip suits, as does getting on the big Flemington track.”
