Since the start of Boston Light’s campaign his Sydney trainer Bryce Heys has been single-mindedly focused on one race at Flemington.
That race comes up on Saturday when the three-year-old contests the Group Two Danehill Stakes.
Boston Light and stablemate Spieth are part of a 22-strong nomination list for the race that includes Ready For Victory, Black Vanquish, Headwater and Well Sprung.
“A horse like Ready For Victory is going to be a good yardstick as to where we’re at in the preparation and whether you’re an ‘A’ grader or a ‘B’ grader,” Heys said.
Boston Light ruined his chances by rearing up at the start of the McKenzie Stakes at Moonee Valley on August 22 before running on to finish fifth behind Well Sprung.
Heys said Boston Light had progressed well since that debut performance.
“I think he’ll be a really effective straight horse,” Heys said.
“If we don’t have him ready to run well in the Danehill we’ll be a little bit blind whether we should be taking the A grade on later on in the spring carnival.
“I only want to run him in the Coolmore on Derby Day if I know I can win it with him.
“This is a realistic opportunity to see how close or far away we are.”
Heys said Spieth, an unlucky debut second behind Secret Agenda at Sandown last Wednesday, would be saved for a race at Pakenham on September 16.
A stablemate of the pair, Deadly Shadow, is likely to contest the Listed Pin & Win Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, rather than a maiden race at Geelong on Friday.
Heys said the weight of nominations at Geelong was likely to force his hand with Deadly Shadow who over-raced on debut at Sandown late last month.
“We had done a lot of work with him before his first start but the execution on raceday was poor,” Heys said.
“Looking at the noms I’m keen to run him at Flemington on Saturday and he’ll be ridden a lot more conservatively.
Heys said he was looking towards the Stutt Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley on October 2 with the Savabeel colt.
