Magic Millions contender Amorino will have a Sydney lead-in to the $2 million race.
Trainer Gerald Ryan has selected a Rosehill 1100m scamper on Saturday in preference to a Doomben start for the unbeaten colt.
“I thought it was the best thing to do to stay here and run him on his home track,” Ryan said.
“He worked strongly this morning and I couldn’t be happier actually where the horse sits at the moment.”
Evergreen jockey Jim Cassidy, who shared Boxing Day riding honours with a Rosehill double on Monday, rode Amorino when the colt won at Randwick on debut and was in the saddle again at trackwork.
“Whatever he does on Saturday he’ll improve but I’m sure he’ll run run well all the same,” Cassidy said.
Amorino displayed natural speed at his first start when he scored a 2-1/2-length win over 1000m at Randwick in October.
Latest Magic Millions markets have the Snitzel youngster on the fourth line of betting at $8.
In a year when there hasn’t been a standout two-year-old, Ryan likes Amorino’s chances of figuring in next month’s restricted-entry race.
“Every time I put him down he seems to just get that little bit better,” Ryan said.
“And nearly every weekend there seems to be a first starter winning.”
Ryan will have modest Rosehill numbers on Saturday as he starts to switch his focus to the Magic Millions carnival at the Gold Coast.
His Magic Millions team is also expected to include Schiffer and Top Drop, placegetters in this year’s feature races.
Schiffer ran third to Karuta Queen in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic and is on target to return to the Gold Coast for the $1 million Guineas.
Ryan will be hoping the filly can improve on Top Drop’s minor placing in this year’s Guineas.
Top Drop is being set for the $400,000 Magic Millions Cup.
“He was a handy two-year-old who wasn’t too bad as a three-year-old but he is a helluva lot better as a four-year-old,” Ryan said.
AAP TURF
