Trainers Anthony and Sam Freedman have a Group 1 race in their sights for Sinawann who marks his racing return at The Valley on Saturday.
The imported galloper runs in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) as a lead-up run to the C F Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on February 12.
The Freedmans have a high opinion of Sinawann who at this stage of his preparation is vying for the place of stable star in the yard alongside Artorius.
Sinawann, a son of Kingman, was prepared in Ireland by Michael Halford and came to Australia with wins in a maiden at The Curragh and a Group 3 success at Leopardstown in July 2020.
After a first-up sixth in the Group 3 Chatham Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, Sinawann showed his class with victory in the Group 3 Kevin Heffernan Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on November 27.
Rather than having a “full-blown” break, Sam Freedman said Sinawann spent time on the water walker and had retained most of his fitness from his late spring campaign.
“But he’ll probably find the 1200 metres at bit sharp,” Freedman said.
“He’s been fresh and keen in his work, and we wanted to run him in a “six” to get the run into him.
“He’s drawn a nice soft gate, we’ll be able to smother him up and try and get through late and as long as he hits the line, we’ll go to the Orr second-up.
“The Australia Stakes has been a pretty good form reference before, so it looks a nice way to go.”
While nothing is planned beyond the C F Orr, the $5 million All-Star Mile is in the back of the stable’s mind along with a potential trip to Sydney for the Autumn Carnival.
“The All-Star Mile is definitely in the back of our minds but whether he would get the votes it’s hard to say, so we just want to focus on the Group 1’s at the moment,” Freedman said.
“He’s exciting and hopefully he can get to the top level.”
